How Reggio Emilia Supports Language and Communication Development in Young Children
Picture this. An 18-month-old spots the neighbour’s dog, points, yells “woof!” then spins round, grinning, to make sure you caught it. Cute? Absolutely. It’s also your child having a conversation. On the footpath. With a dog.
Those first few years are when talking really takes off. And it touches nearly everything (making friends, telling you they’re sad and, down the track, learning to read), so it’s no surprise parents watch it so closely. We do too.
Want to know what’s typical at each age and stage? Read our full guide to your child’s development, birth to five →
Speech and Language Development Milestones: What's Typical?
Kids use language to figure out their world. They ask a million questions, tell you exactly what they want for lunch, make up stories and test out big ideas. Even before the first real word, they’re talking to you with grins, squeals and a lot of pointing.
Our view at Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres is simple: every child gets heard, however they say it. In practice? Loads of ways to communicate, room to imagine, and close bonds that grow out of small, everyday stuff.
No two children develop on the same timeline. Still, it helps to know the common speech development milestones, if only so you can relax a little. Here’s the rough guide from Speech Pathology Australia.
Around 12 months: sounds, gestures, maybe a few words. By a year and a half, think 6 to 20 single words. By 2, more than 50 words, and the first two-word combos start popping up (“no ball”, “bye teddy”). At 3, four or five words in a sentence, plus endless “what”, “where” and “who” questions. Four-year-olds start gluing ideas together with “and”, “but” and “because”. And by 5, most can hold up their end of a longer conversation, taking turns as they go.
Think of child development milestones as rough signposts rather than deadlines. Siblings raised under the same roof can hit them at quite different times, so try not to compare (easier said than done, we know). Got a niggling feeling something’s off? Mention it to your GP or your child’s educator. That’s the place to start.
How Reggio Emilia's '100 Languages' Approach Builds Communication Skills
Loris Malaguzzi, the man behind the Reggio Emilia approach, put it beautifully. He said children have “100 languages”: a hundred ways to think, explore and express themselves. Talking is only one of them.
So in our rooms, a painting counts. So does a wobbly block tower, a made-up song or a story told over lunch. Every one of them is a message, and messages deserve answers. So you’ll often spot an educator perched next to a child, asking “Ooh, what’s happening in your picture?” or “And then what?”
Why does this matter for speech? Because a child who’s listened to when they point, draw or act something out learns that what they say matters. When children feel that their ideas and expressions are valued, they are encouraged to communicate with confidence. Through meaningful conversations, creative exploration and responsive relationships, educators help children develop the skills to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas in different ways.
It’s also why our rooms are full of open-ended things like paint, musical instruments and blocks. Some mornings a child wants to paint it. Other mornings they’d rather bang it out on a drum. Either way, there’s something within reach.
Curious what this looks like in practice? Our deep dive on the 100 languages of children has heaps more.
Everyday Language Development Activities to Try at Home
Wondering how to encourage speech in toddlers without it feeling like homework? Good news. You don’t need flashcards or a fancy program. Most talking happens in the everyday bits of home life, and chances are you’re already doing more than you think.
A few ideas to fold into your day:
Narrate as you go. Cooking brekkie, getting shoes on, driving to the shops: it’s all material. “I’m cutting the apple into little pieces.” Feels a bit silly saying it out loud, right? Your toddler doesn’t think so. They’re hearing new words about something they can see, touch and eat.
Read the favourites. Again. And again. Point at the pictures. Ask what they can see. Spending ten minutes on the dinosaur on page three and never finishing the book? Totally fine. Repetition is how the words stick (yes, even the fortieth time through).
Follow their lead. Obsessed with bugs, trucks or the neighbour’s cat? Run with it. Name what you see, wonder out loud together and let them steer.
Wait for it. Ask a question and then pause. Count to ten in your head if you have to. Little ones often need a bit longer to find their words, and the wait is usually worth it.
Add a little more. If your child says “dog running”, try “Yep, that little dog is running so fast!” You’ve shown them a longer sentence, and nobody had to repeat anything.
Offer choices and enjoy songs together. Simple questions such as ‘Would you like an apple or a banana?’ encourage children to express preferences. Songs, rhymes and familiar games also create enjoyable opportunities to explore sounds, rhythm and new words.
Notice every kind of message. A point, a squeal, a frown: it’s all your child telling you something. When you respond, they learn that communicating works, and talking turns into something you both enjoy.
Raising Children Network has more tips like these, if you’re after a few more ideas to try this week.
When to Seek Extra Support for Speech Development
Some kids are chatterboxes from day one. Others take their time, and that’s okay. But you know your child best, so trust your gut.
Speech Pathology Australia is pretty clear on this one: if you’re worried, don’t “wait and see”. Have a word with your GP, a child and family health nurse or a speech pathologist if your child isn’t doing the things above for their age, say, not putting two words together by 2.
Asking for a referral is a small step. It doesn’t mean something’s seriously wrong. Your child’s educators can help as well, since they see how your child communicates across the whole day. For more on milestones and finding support near you, head to Speech Pathology Australia.
Every Word Starts Somewhere
Every child’s communication journey begins somewhere. Whether through their first words, a drawing, a gesture or an imaginative story, each expression offers an opportunity to connect, listen and learn. At Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres, we value these moments and the important role they play in children’s learning and development.
FAQ
What speech development milestones should my toddler reach?
Most toddlers say somewhere between 6 and 20 single words at 18 months. By 2, many have more than 50 words and are putting two together. By 3, four or five words in a sentence is common. Every child moves at their own pace, though, so if anything’s worrying you, talk to your GP or your child’s educator.
How does the Reggio Emilia approach support language development?
We see speech as one of the “100 languages” kids use, right alongside art, music, movement and storytelling. Our educators chat with children all day long (not just at set times) and pay attention to every way a child tries to communicate.
What are the 100 languages of children?
It’s an idea from Loris Malaguzzi, who founded the Reggio Emilia approach. It’s his way of describing all the ways children think and express themselves: drawing, music, movement, building, pretend play, exploring nature and, of course, talking.
When should I be worried about my child’s speech development?
Speech Pathology Australia says don’t “wait and see”. If your child isn’t reaching the milestones for their age (for example, they’re not putting two words together by 2), talk to your GP, a child and family health nurse or a speech pathologist.