18-24 Months

Many children have reached the meaningful speech stage, in which they produce at least 10 different adult-based words, by 21 months of age. Infants typically produce labial, alveolar, stop, and nasal consonants. Vowels are usually low and front although some back vowels occur. Simple syllables shapes like CV ("yeah"), CVCV ("titu" for "swimsuit") and some CVCs ("dog") are predominant. Short sentences and phrases with correct intonation and stress also occur and help support intelligibility.

Children also use gestures and eye contact to communicate. Symbolic play (such as book reading) is typically present at this age.

Clip 1. The child produces simple phrases and sentences. She produces labials, alveolars, stops, and nasals. She also produces CV ("yeah"), CVC, ("dog"), and CVCV ("mommy") word shapes.

Clip 2. The child produces simple phrases and the CVCV ("titu" for "swimsuit") word shape.