Understanding Speech and Language: A Parent's Guide
Updated: Aug 28
What Is Speech?
Speech is how we produce sounds and use those sounds to make words. It is the physical act of talking.
This includes:
Pronouncing sounds clearly
Putting sounds together to form words
Speech Difficulties You Might Notice
A child may:
Say “tar” instead of “car”
Leave sounds off words
Sound like they are speaking their own little language
Be tricky to understand
What Is Language?
Language is how we understand and use words to communicate meaning. Language has two main parts:
Receptive language: This is how well your child understands words and sentences. For example, following simple instructions like "Find your shoes" or "Give me the book."
Expressive language: This is how your child uses words and sentences to communicate. It includes vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. This might be through spoken words but also includes gestures, signs, symbols, and much more!
A child may:
Use very few words
Struggle to follow instructions
Find it hard to answer questions
Use shorter sentences than expected
Have difficulty expressing thoughts clearly
A child can pronounce words clearly but still have significant language difficulties.
Speech and Language Difficulties Can Look Different
Sometimes children have:
Speech difficulties only
Language difficulties only
Or both together
A Child with Speech Difficulties May:
Talk a lot
Use long sentences
Understand everything well
Be hard to understand
A Child with Language Difficulties May:
Speak clearly
Use very few words
Struggle with understanding
Find conversations difficult
Why Is It Important to Know the Difference?
Understanding whether your child is struggling with speech, language, or both helps ensure they get the right kind of support. Your speech and language therapist is the expert in this, but it’s a good start for you to understand the basic differences too.
For example:
A child with speech sound difficulties may need help learning how to produce sounds clearly.
A child with language difficulties may need support understanding words, building vocabulary, and forming sentences.
Knowing the difference can help you:
Explain concerns more clearly
Know what signs to watch for
Feel more confident seeking help early
Signs Your Child May Need Extra Support
Seek advice if your child:
Is difficult to understand for their age
Uses very few words
Struggles to follow simple instructions
Becomes frustrated when communicating
Isn’t combining words into sentences
Seems behind other children their age
Trust your instincts — parents are often the first to notice when something doesn’t feel quite right.
How Parents Can Support Speech and Language Development
There’s a lot you can do at home to help. Below are some general ideas to try, but it is individualised strategies and detailed assessment that will make the difference.
Be the narrator: Describe what you are doing throughout the day. This helps your child connect words with actions.
Read together: Choose books with pictures and simple sentences. Point to pictures and name them. Face your child while you read to them. This makes reading interactive and fun.
Listen and respond: Always respond to your child’s attempts to communicate, even if the words are unclear. This encourages them to keep trying.
Have a look at this post for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a child have speech difficulties but not language difficulties?
Yes. Some children understand language well and use lots of words, but their speech sounds are unclear.
Can a child have language difficulties even if they talk a lot?
Yes. A child may talk frequently but still struggle with understanding, sentence structure, or meaningful conversation.
Is delayed speech the same as delayed language?
No. Speech refers to how words are said, while language refers to understanding and using words meaningfully.
What Next?
If you’re worried about your child’s speech or language development, you can:
👉 Book a free consultation call with me for personalised support and practical strategies. You can find more information here.
👉 Contact your GP or Local NHS service to discover what support they could offer.
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