A Reassuring Guide for Parents of Children 11 Months to 4 Years If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve asked yourself one of these questions: “Should my child be saying more words by now?”“Why does my child understand me but not talk much?”“Am I doing enough to support my child’s speech?” First—take a breath. You’re not alone, and being curious or concerned about your child’s speech development is a sign of a caring, attentive parent. Speech and language development can v