What age corresponds to a 50% intelligibility level in speech for children?

The age at which a child typically reaches a 50% intelligibility level in speech is around 2 years old. At this age, children begin to produce more words and simple phrases, allowing them to communicate their needs and thoughts with a mix of recognizable words and some more unclear speech sounds. Although they may not be perfectly understood by unfamiliar listeners, caregivers and those close to them usually comprehend about half of what the child says.

Understanding this milestone is important in the context of developmental speech and language disorders, as delayed speech intelligibility can be an indicator of underlying issues that may require assessment and intervention. Milestones in speech development, including intelligibility, are essential for tracking a child's communication skills, which are critical for social interactions and academic success later on.