Why Early Language Milestones Matter Expressive and receptive language develop together, each reinforcing the other. A child must first understand words (receptive) before reliably producing them (expressive), and as expressive skills grow they provide feedback that strengthens comprehension. Meeting expressive milestones—such as two‑word phrases by 18‑24 months and multi‑sentence storytelling by age 4—supports social interaction, allowing children […]