Speech & Language Developments in Singapore

Speech & Language Developments in Singapore

For families raising children with more than one language in the home, what does “normal” language development look like? It’s common for children in  multilingual settings to show patterns such as code‑mixing (where two languages are used interchangeably), varying rates of speech growth in each language, or even temporary quieter periods while they process multiple languages. They reflect the complexity of growing up with multiple languages. Many children in Singapore are exposed to more than one language these days, particularly with more immigrants and multicultural families becoming increasingly a norm. Indeed, researchers in Singapore emphasise that multilingual children’s development should be understood in context, rather than judged by monolingual norms.

 

Multilingualism and Common Language Patterns

Singapore's linguistic landscape is distinctly multilingual, with the majority of Singaporeans growing up exposed to more than one language.


Code‑Mixing and Switching Between Multiple Languages

Multilingual children often code-mix and code-switch when they speak.

  • Code-mixing is when a child uses more than one language in the same sentence, for example: "I want 抱抱" ("I want to be carried").
  • Code-switching is when a child switches between languages depending on who they are talking to or the situation, for example speaking to grandma in Malay but to their preschool teacher in English.

Both code-mixing and code-switching are normal features of multilingual language development and should not be seen as a sign of confusion or a speech delay.

Research on Singaporean children shows that: 

  • Children tend to mix languages more often when using their less dominant language 
  • The pattern and frequency of language switching are closely linked to the language parents use at home and how much mixing they allow

In practice, this means that in multilingual homes, it's normal for a child to sometimes: 

  • Use words or phrases from one language and then switch to another, or 
  • Mix languages in the same sentence

Understanding this helps parents and caregivers recognize normal multilingual behaviour and avoid mislabeling it as a language delay.

 

Silent Periods: When a Child is Listening More Than Speaking

In multilingual homes, some children go through “silent periods” — phases where they may appear quieter, speak less, or rely more on listening and comprehension than expressive language. This can be a normal part of multilingual language acquisition when a child may temporarily “listen more” while processing multiple languages. Silent periods are temporary and can range from a few weeks to several months. Silent periods are more common in younger children (around 2-4 years old) or when a child is exposed to a new language for the first time. Not all multilingual children go through a silent period.

However, if a child continues to have no words around 18-24 months (in any of the languages they are exposed to), or if the silent period persists beyond several months without any signs of progress, it might be helpful to consult a speech-language therapist for any potential communication difficulties. 

 

Magic Beans Therapy

 

Milestones in Bilingual Children

6‑12 months (early signs of speech)

  • Babies typically begin to babble (consonant‑vowel combinations such as “ba‑ba”, “da‑da”), respond to their name, show joint attention (looking when parent points).

  • Expressive speech (first meaningful words) in any of the languages the child is exposed to, may emerge around the 10-15 month range.

18‑24 months (combining words and basic sentence structure)

  • A “monolingual‑norm” guide might expect ~50+ words and beginnings of two‑word combinations by 24 months.

  • In multilingual Singapore homes, the child may have a combined vocabulary across all languages rather than 50+ words in each language. Importantly, one should consider the total words across all languages rather than only words in one language when counting how many words the child knows.

  • Some may also develop skills in one language faster than the other and may be influenced largely by the amount of exposure the child has to the various language(s).

3‑4 years (more complex speech)

  • At this age, children typically use longer sentences, ask questions (“why?”, “how come?”), retell simple events, and understand more complex ideas (e.g., “When we went to the zoo, the lion roared”).

  • In a multilingual Singapore environment, children will begin to use each language appropriately depending on context (for example English at preschool, Mandarin at home), and show increasing competence in both receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) in each language. 

  • It is normal that a multilingual child at this stage might favour one language over another for certain functions (e.g., play vs. academic) depending on exposure and dominance.

Red Flags: When to Seek Help from a Speech Therapist

There are clear signs that warrant professional attention:

  • If a child isn’t using any meaningful words by around 18 months, this may indicate a delay.

  • If the child does not understand simple instructions (“Come here”, “Give me the ball”), even when spoken in a familiar language, this may be a warning sign.

  • Difficulty making themselves understood (frequent gestures instead of words, very limited vocabulary) is a signal to monitor.

  • Struggling across all languages (not only the “weaker” one), e.g., very limited vocabulary or comprehension in all languages, is concerning. Research suggests that in children with a language / speech disorder, difficulties usually persist in more than one language.

  • If silent periods or slower progress are accompanied by poor comprehension, lack of social interaction, frustration when communicating, or the child seems to avoid speaking entirely, then a speech‑language professional should be consulted.

Magic Beans Therapy, a trusted speech therapy practice in Singapore, offers specialised support for children experiencing communication challenges. Whether your child is struggling with delayed milestones, communication difficulties, or language mixing, Magic Beans Therapy centre provides comprehensive assessments and personalized therapy tailored to multilingual environments. Their team of experienced speech therapists uses evidence‑based approaches to help children build confidence in both their understanding and use of language, providing strategies to improve communication at home and in social settings.

 

Speech and Language - Magic Beans Therapy

 

Strategies to Boost Language Development at Home

  • Talk frequently with your child and read to your child in the language you are comfortable with. There is no "better" or "preferred" language to teach your child.

  • Narrate what you’re doing, ask questions, describe surroundings, even if the child isn’t yet responding much. This helps build receptive (understanding) skills as well as expressive (speaking) skills.

  • Shared reading introduces vocabulary, sentence structure, context, and supports language comprehension.

  • Use everyday routines as language‑learning moments: mealtime, bath time, going out, errands — label objects, talk about actions, invite the child to join.

  • Wait, and give your child some time to respond and communicate.

  • Encourage the child to make choices and speak: "Do you want the red car or the blue car?", "Tell me what you did today?"

  • Celebrate all attempts at communication — the goal is to make speaking (or trying to speak) positive, fun and natural, not pressured.

 

Supporting Multilingual Development: When to Seek Help and How to Foster Growth

It is important to note that multilingualism does not cause speech and language delays. However, if you notice your child with delayed communication milestones, difficulty making himself understood, or presenting with the above red flags, it may be time to consult a speech-language therapist. Early intervention is key to ensuring that your child reaches their full communication potential.

Drop Magic Beans a WhatsApp at +65 8777 3171 to book a session, or visit https://magicbeans.sg/contact-us/ and @magicbeanssingapore on Instagram to find out more! Download the CradleNest app to discover more parenting resources, and follow us on Instagram @cradlenestsg for updates, tips, and a peek into our growing community.

 

This article was informed by resources from the following: