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What is vocabulary in speech therapy?

All the words your child knows—both words they understand (receptive) and words they say (expressive). By age 2, most children have 200-300 words. Vocabulary size is one of the best predictors of later reading success. Example: A typical 2-year-old has about 200-300 words in their vocabulary.

📚Language Development

Vocabulary

What is vocabulary in speech therapy?

All the words your child knows—both words they understand (receptive) and words they say (expressive). By age 2, most children have 200-300 words. Vocabulary size is one of the best predictors of later reading success.

Example

A typical 2-year-old has about 200-300 words in their vocabulary.

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How can I help my child with vocabulary?

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About this guide: This glossary is designed to help parents understand speech therapy terminology. Definitions are simplified for clarity and informed by resources from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Not medical advice: This information is educational only. For concerns about your child's speech development, consult a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP).Find an SLP near you →

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Parents Also Ask

How many words should my child have?▼

12 months: 1-3 words. 18 months: 10-50 words. 24 months: 200-300 words. 3 years: 1,000+ words. These are averages—there's wide variation. Understanding (receptive vocabulary) is always larger than speaking (expressive vocabulary).

How do I build my child's vocabulary?▼

Talk constantly! Narrate your day, read books, follow their interests, name everything. Quality matters more than quantity—use varied words, not just "nice" and "good." Vehicle play is great because it introduces specific vocabulary (excavator, ambulance, etc.).

Amy Lauren, The PlaySchool SLP
"Little Wheels kept my autistic client smiling, engaged, and actively participating. It's a motivating, developmentally supportive app for kids who love vehicles."
Amy Lauren, The PlaySchool SLP — Speech-Language Pathologist
Trusted by 25+ Speech-Language PathologistsSee all SLP reviews →

Related Terms

Receptive Language

Your child's ability to UNDERSTAND language—what goes IN. Can they follow directions? Do they know what words mean? Receptive language develops before expressive language.

Expressive Language

Your child's ability to EXPRESS themselves—what comes OUT. This includes speaking, gesturing, and eventually writing. Most late talkers have good receptive but delayed expressive language.

More Language Development

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Receptive LanguageExpressive LanguageLanguage DelayLate TalkerCore WordsJoint Attention

Learn More About Speech Development

Complete Late Talker GuideToddler Vocabulary Checklist10 First Words for Late TalkersAction Words & Verb Development

Explore our parent guides for more speech development resources.

Support Your Child's Speech Development

Little Wheels apps use vehicle-based learning to make speech practice engaging and fun. Perfect for home practice between therapy sessions.

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