Question
A 19-month-old child speaks slowly, usually only using single words or a few words at a time, and likes to murmur some phrases that are hard to understand. Is his language development considered normal at this age, and what precautions should parents take?
Answer
While children’s language development generally follows a similar path, each child has their own unique differences. Typically, by the age of 1, children can say words and their communication ability is first in understanding and then in expression, starting with nouns and verbs. Around 18 months, a child’s vocabulary expands rapidly, which is greatly influenced by the training they receive from parents. As long as the child can speak, it falls within the normal range, and there is no need to worry excessively.