At 23 months, some children have not yet begun to use words, and in many cases, language may still develop within a typical range. Studies show that frequent exposure to spoken language—through reading simple books, singing songs with actions, and describing daily activities—can support vocabulary growth.

Research also highlights the benefits of interactive tools, such as the Speech Blubs app, which provides engaging activities and imitation games shown to encourage early speech production. Consistent short sessions are often recommended.

If no words emerge in the next few months, guidelines suggest that an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist can help identify specific needs and next steps.