By 18 months
First words
Most toddlers point, wave and use a handful of single words by now. Worth a check if your child:
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By 2 years
Putting words together
Most two-year-olds use dozens of words and start joining two together. Worth a check if your child:
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By 3 years
Short sentences
Most three-year-olds speak in short sentences and are understood by family. Worth a check if your child:
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By 4 years
Conversations
Most four-year-olds hold little conversations and strangers understand most of it. Worth a check if your child:
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By 5 years
School ready speech
Most five-year-olds are understood nearly all the time and can tell a simple story. Worth a check if your child:
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What these signs are not
Children reach language milestones across a wide range, and a slightly late start often resolves on its own. Growing up with two or more languages, which is normal life in Dubai, does not cause speech delay: count your child's words across all their languages, and expect some healthy mixing.
A few sounds are simply late by design. Sounds like r and th can take until age six or seven, and that on its own is not a concern.
When to consider an assessment
If several signs in your child's age group ring true, or your gut says something is off, you do not need to wait and see. Early support works, and no one ever regretted checking early.
- A speech and language assessment looks at understanding, expression, speech sounds and social communication.
- It separates a language difference, such as growing up bilingual, from a language difficulty.
- You leave with a clear picture and practical next steps, whether or not therapy is recommended.
Common questions
The essentials, in plain terms.
Is this checklist private?
This page stores nothing and sends nothing. If you save a list, the image is created on your device only, and you choose who sees it.
My child is a late talker. Should I worry?
Not necessarily, children reach milestones across a wide range. But early support works well, and if several signs for your child's age ring true, a speech and language assessment gives you clarity.
Does growing up bilingual cause speech delay?
No. Learning two or more languages does not cause a speech or language delay. Count your child's words across all their languages, and expect some healthy mixing.
What should I do next?
If your result stood out, or something still worries you, a free 15-minute consultation with our team is a sensible next step. There is no obligation, and nothing from this page is shared with us unless you choose to raise it.
Talk it through with our team
A free 15-minute consultation with CAYA World Clinic in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. No obligation, and nothing from this page is shared with us unless you choose to bring it up.
This checklist is educational content written by CAYA World Clinic. It is not a diagnostic instrument and produces no score or result. Only a professional assessment can determine whether a child needs speech and language support.
This page stores nothing and sends nothing. Saving a list creates the image on your device only.