Developmental Communication Milestone Series: 24 Months

Communication at 24 months includes following directions and understanding words. They understand simple questions and provide simple one or two-word answers along with nodding head for yes or no. Toddlers are able to understand explanations of events that are taking place and understand when they are told something cannot happen until later in the day, or until tomorrow.

Expressively, toddlers display a fairly large range of development in the words they are producing. Some 24 month olds are still only using 1-2 word phrases consistently to label, comment, and request, whereas others are consistently using complete sentences. The words toddlers use are usually understood by others, but some words may still run together or be difficult to understand. Their vocabulary develops based on their daily experiences, and they use words and phrases related to what they hear spoken to them.

What Communication Should Toddlers have by 24 Months?

• Point to several body parts as you name them
• Point to correct pictures in a book when you ask them to
• Respond to requests, such as, “Please open the door”
• Respond to directives, such as “It’s time to wash hands for lunch”
• Understand “in” and “on”

24 Month Old Expressive Abilities

• Name pictures in their books
• Produce most vowels and the consonants: m, b, p, k, g, w, h, n, t, d
• Uses 50-200 words
• Jabber to themselves or self-talk as they play by themselves
• Label familiar objects as they interact with things throughout the day
• Put several words together such as, “Go out now”
• Use language with increasing specificity to ask for what they want
• Start asking questions related to stories or things they see

Additional support may be needed if:

• Remain unengaged in family discussions at the dinner table
• Forget what they are told to do and start playing with toys instead
• Point to eyes when asked to find body parts but don’t respond to any more questions
• Ignore directives such as, “It’s time to wash hands”
• Continue to use gestures rather than words to communicate
• Become upset when you don’t understand what they want or what they are trying to say
• Try to tell you something, but their babbling and sounds don’t make sense
• Point to an apple but the sounds they use are not distinguishable as words

Check out 30 Month Communication Milestones to learn what your child should develop next. If you have questions or concerns about your toddler’s speech development, call MOSAIC Rehabilitation at (406) 388-4988. We offer free 15 minutes screens and are happy to answer any questions you might have.