The 2-Minute Guide
What Level Is My Child?
Match your child to Bronze, Silver or Gold — then every toy on this site tells you exactly which words to say while you play.
Pick by stage, not by age
Ages overlap and every child is different. Choose the level that describes how your child talks today.
Bronze
First Words
Single words and understanding — perfect for children just starting to talk or using fewer than 50 words.
Silver
Phrases
Two to three word combinations — for children who are starting to put words together.
Gold
Sentences & Stories
Full sentences, questions and storytelling — for children ready to build longer language.
Each stage splits into two smaller bands on the Talking Journey — Bronze covers Bands 1–2, Silver covers Bands 3–4, and Gold covers Bands 5–6 — so your next step is always a small, doable one.
Speech & language milestones by age
A general guide to typical development. Children develop at their own pace — these are averages, not deadlines.
12–18 months
Typical level: BronzeUnderstanding
- Responds to their name
- Follows simple instructions with gestures (“give me the ball”)
- Points to familiar people and objects when named
Talking
- First true words appear (often “mama”, “dada”, “more”, “no”)
- Uses gestures like pointing, waving and reaching
- Copies sounds and simple words
18–24 months
Typical level: Bronze → SilverUnderstanding
- Points to body parts and pictures in books
- Follows simple one-step instructions without gestures
- Understands many more words than they can say
Talking
- Vocabulary grows quickly — roughly 50+ words by age 2
- Starts joining two words (“more milk”, “daddy go”)
- Names familiar objects, animals and people
2–3 years
Typical level: SilverUnderstanding
- Follows two-step instructions (“get your shoes and bring them here”)
- Understands simple concepts like big/little, in/on
- Answers simple “what” and “where” questions
Talking
- Combines 2–3 words regularly (“mummy open door”)
- Vocabulary keeps growing — often several hundred words by age 3
- Uses words like in, on, under and mine
3–4 years
Typical level: Silver → GoldUnderstanding
- Understands longer instructions and simple stories
- Answers “who”, “what” and “why” questions
- Understands colours, shapes and comparison words
Talking
- Speaks in 4–5 word sentences
- Asks lots of questions
- Talks about things that happened earlier in the day
4–5 years
Typical level: GoldUnderstanding
- Follows multi-step instructions
- Understands time concepts like before/after, first/last
- Enjoys longer stories and can answer questions about them
Talking
- Tells simple stories with a beginning, middle and end
- Uses long, grammatical sentences
- Uses time words like yesterday, later and tomorrow
These ranges are drawn from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Communication Milestones: Birth to 5 and Speech Pathology Australia’s Communication Milestones Kit.
When to talk to a professional
You never need permission to get your child checked — if you’re wondering, that’s reason enough. Both ASHA and Speech Pathology Australia say the same thing: don’t “wait and see” if you’re concerned. Their public guidance suggests checking in with a speech pathologist if your child:
- Isn’t babbling or using gestures by 12 months
- Has no words by 16–18 months
- Has fewer than 50 words, or no two-word phrases, by 24 months
- Doesn’t seem to understand simple everyday instructions
- Doesn’t respond to their name or to familiar voices
- Loses words or skills they previously had (at any age)
Find a certified speech pathologist near you:
Questions parents ask most
How many words should my 18-month-old say?
Vocabularies vary a lot at 18 months — some children say a handful of words, others many more — and understanding runs far ahead of talking. As a guide, ASHA’s milestones expect children to use at least 50 words and start combining two words by 24 months. If your 18-month-old is not yet using any words, or is not pointing and gesturing, both ASHA and Speech Pathology Australia suggest checking in with a speech pathologist rather than waiting — asking early is never wasted.
When do children start combining two words?
Most children start joining two words — like “more milk” or “daddy go” — between 18 and 24 months, once they have roughly 50 single words. If your child is past 2 years and not yet combining words, mention it to a health professional.
What is the difference between Bronze, Silver and Gold goals?
They match your child’s language stage, not their age. Bronze targets first words and understanding (typically fewer than 50 words). Silver targets two-to-three word phrases. Gold targets full sentences, questions and storytelling. Start at the level your child is at right now, and move up as they grow — the same toy works at every level.
My child understands everything but says very little. Is that normal?
Understanding usually runs ahead of talking, so a gap is common and, on its own, is not a reason to worry. That said, strong understanding is not a reason to skip a check if talking seems well behind the general ranges above. A speech pathologist can look at the whole picture with you — this site can’t do that for an individual child.
Do talking toys or screens teach children to talk?
No toy, app or program teaches talking on its own — children learn language from responsive back-and-forth interaction with people. Toys are valuable because they create moments of shared attention where YOU can model words. That’s exactly why every toy on this site comes with word lists and scripts for you, not just batteries and buttons.
When should I see a speech pathologist?
Trust your instincts — you never need to “wait and see” if you’re worried. Speech Pathology Australia and ASHA both suggest checking in if there is no babbling or gesturing by 12 months, no words by 16–18 months, fewer than 50 words or no word combinations by 24 months, difficulty understanding simple instructions, or any loss of skills at any age. And if none of those apply but you still feel unsure, that is reason enough.
Found your child’s level? Every toy has goals for all three.
Browse the Toy LibraryThis guide is general educational information, not an assessment or diagnosis of your child. Milestone ranges are indicative only. If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or hearing, please consult a certified speech pathologist in your area. See our full disclaimer.