Expressive Language
Outcome 5, Children are effective communicators
Overview
Milestone. Child uses words, gestures or short phrases to express needs, wants and ideas.
Why it matters. Reduces frustration, supports social connection and builds engagement in learning through shared communication.
Age-banded milestones
- Uses 5–10 single words
- Points and vocalises to request
- Imitates familiar sounds and words
- Uses 20+ words consistently
- Combines 2 words ('more juice')
- Names familiar people and objects
- Uses 2–3 word phrases
- Vocabulary grows to 200+ words
- Asks simple questions ('what that?')
- Uses 4–5 word sentences
- Tells short stories about events
- Familiar adults understand ~75% of speech
Red flags, when to seek support
If you notice one or more of these patterns, talk with a GP, child health nurse, speech pathologist or occupational therapist for further assessment.
- No single words by 18 months
- Fewer than 50 words or no 2-word phrases by age 2
- Loss of previously used words or gestures at any age
- Speech unintelligible to familiar adults by age 3
Strategies & activities
Activities
- Naming objects during play: “That’s a dog, can you say dog?”
- Choice-making routines: “Apple or banana?”, pause and wait 5 seconds
- Action songs with words (Wheels on the Bus, If You’re Happy)
- Turn-taking games with simple verbal exchange
- Story time with prediction: “What do you think happens next?”
Materials
- Picture cards and object labels
- Books with repetitive, simple language
- Interactive cause-and-effect toys
- Visual choice boards (2–3 options max)
Speech pathologist
- Assessing expressive vocabulary levels and age expectations
- Modelling 1-word-above-current-level responses
- Teaching communication temptation strategies
- Supporting AAC introduction where appropriate
Occupational therapist
- Assessing sensory and postural readiness for communication
- Supporting attention and engagement for language learning
- Evaluating fine motor support for gesture and pointing
Educator role
- Model simple language naturally throughout routines
- Use expectant pause, wait 5–10 seconds after prompting
- Reinforce all communication attempts verbally
- Avoid finishing sentences or anticipating needs prematurely
Family support
- Name objects throughout daily routines (bath, meal, dressing)
- Offer real choices using simple words and wait for a response
- Read aloud daily, point to pictures and name them
- Celebrate all communication attempts, words, gestures, sounds
Signs of progress
- 1Increasing number of spontaneous words used daily
- 2Attempts to imitate new words after hearing them
- 3Uses gesture + word combinations (point + “that”)
- 4Reduced frustration when communicating needs
- 5Initiates communication to share interest or make a request
Related focus areas
Receptive Language
Child understands and responds to spoken language, simple instructions and questions.
Joint Attention
Child coordinates attention between a person and an object, looks, points or vocalises to share an experience.
Social Engagement
Child initiates and responds to social interaction with adults and peers, showing interest, warmth and awareness of others.
Take expressive language further
Download our practitioner-ready summary, milestones, red flags and evidence-based strategies you can share with families and educators today.