Speech Therapy for Toddlers Under 2: Early Intervention

Your baby’s first two years are an incredible time for communication growth. Their brain is making over 1,000 new connections every second, which means early support—when needed—can make a big difference. If you’re wondering whether your little one might benefit from speech therapy before age 2, you’re already on the right track.

The truth? You never have to “wait and see.” Early intervention for toddlers under 2 is gentle, play-based, and designed around your daily routines, not drills or worksheets.

Why Early Speech Support Matters

• Babies’ brains are most flexible between 6–24 months, making this the best time to strengthen communication skills.
  
• Starting early can prevent small delays from becoming bigger hurdles later.
  
• Research shows toddlers who receive support before 18 months often make faster progress than those who begin later.
  
• For children under 2, speech therapy also includes support for feeding, swallowing, gestures, play, and early social skills—all essential building blocks for language.
  

Key Milestones to Watch For (Birth–24 Months)

Birth–6 Months

• Reacts to sounds and voices
  
• Makes different cries for different needs
  
• Starts cooing (“ooh,” “ahh”)
  
• Turns toward sounds
  
• Begins babbling by 6 months
  

6–12 Months

• Responds to name by ~9 months
  
• Waves, claps, and points
  
• Babbles with consonants (“ba,” “da,” “ma”)
  
• Says a first word around 12 months
  
• Enjoys simple back-and-forth games
  

12–24 Months

• 10–20 words by 18 months
  
• 50+ words by 24 months
  
• Follows 1-step directions
  
• Points to body parts
  
• Combines two words (“more milk,” “go car”)
  
• Pretend play emerges (feeding a doll, talking on a toy phone)
  

When to Seek Speech Therapy

These signs don’t always mean something is wrong, but they’re helpful signals that an evaluation could be supportive.

By 12 Months

• No babbling with consonants
  
• Limited eye contact
  
• Doesn’t respond to name
  
• No gestures like pointing or waving
  
• Doesn’t imitate sounds or facial expressions
  

By 18–24 Months

• Fewer than 10 words at 18 months
  
• Fewer than 25 words at 24 months
  
• Not understanding simple instructions
  
• Loss of words they used to say
  
• Relies mostly on gestures
  
• Little to no pretend play
  

If something feels “off,” trust your instincts—parents are often the first to notice early communication differences.

What Speech Therapy Looks Like for Under-2s

Speech therapy at this age looks like:

• Play-based learning
  
• Parent coaching
  
• Short, flexible sessions
  
• Support during everyday routines like meals, dressing, bath time, and play
  

Your child learns through connection—not pressure. A speech-language pathologist focuses on building skills like:

• Early words and sounds
  
• Gestures and pointing
  
• Understanding language
  
• Feeding and oral motor skills
  
• Imitation and turn-taking
  

And just as importantly, they coach you—giving you tools you can use all day long in simple, natural ways.

Everyday Activities That Boost Communication

For 6–12 Months

• Make silly faces and imitate your baby’s sounds
  
• Sing simple songs with gestures
  
• Play peek-a-boo
  
• Read short board books together
  

For 12–24 Months

• Blow and pop bubbles (“pop!” “more?”)
  
• Play with cause-and-effect toys
  
• Practice simple pretend play
  
• Look at family photos and label people
  
• Sing action songs (clap, stomp, jump)
  

Small moments repeated often make the biggest impact.

Finding the Right Support

You can start with:

• Your pediatrician
  
• Early Intervention (free in every state for children under 3)
  
• A licensed speech-language pathologist experienced with toddlers
  

Look for an SLP who uses play, coaches parents, and understands the unique needs of infants and toddlers.

Final Thoughts

Communication starts long before words—through gestures, play, eye contact, and shared moments. If you’re concerned about your toddler’s speech or feeding development, it’s never “too early” to check in. Early support is gentle, relationship-based, and incredibly effective.

And remember: asking questions and seeking help is a sign of strong, proactive parenting. Your child benefits most from your care, curiosity, and willingness to support their growing connection with the world.

If you’re noticing signs of a speech or developmental delay, or even if you just have a gut feeling that something’s not clicking, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Coral Care makes it easy for families to get started with in-home pediatric developmental therapy, with experienced clinicians and openings available in as little as 7–14 days. You can explore our online resources, learn more about what therapy looks like, or connect with a Coral Care Concierge member who will walk you through the next steps with care and clarity.

Your child’s communication journey deserves a team that celebrates their strengths and meets them right where they are. Book an evaluation today! www.joincoralcare.com