Language Milestones
Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get our wants and needs met. In its most basic form, language can be broken down into two categories: receptive language and expressive language. Receptive language describes how well we understand language (listening and reading). Expressive language describes how we use language (spoken words and writing).
birth to 3 months
alerts to sounds
quiets or smiles when you talk
makes sounds back & forth with you
makes sounds based on their mood
coos, makes sounds like ooo, aahhh, & mmm
recognizes loved ones & common objects
turns/looks toward voices or people talking
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 3 months: not responding to sounds, not tracking moving objects with eyes, cry is no different whether hungry or tired, & persistent problems with sucking/swallowing
4 to 6 months
giggles & laughs
responds to facial expressions
looks at & follows interesting object with eyes, ex: bottle
reacts to musical toys
vocalizes during play or when objects are in mouth
vocalizes vowels (maybe with consonant), ex: uuumm, daa
blows raspberries
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 6 months: lack of connection with parent, cannot focus (easily overwhelmed), no social smile, no cooing, not responding to sounds, & not looking at someone who is speaking to them
7 to 9 months
looks at you when you call their name
stops for a moment when you say "no"
babbles longs strings, ex: mamama, upup, babababa
looks for loved ones when upset
raises arms to be picked up
recognizes names of a few people & objects
pushes away unwanted objects
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 9 months: limited eye contact, no consonant sounds, not responding to name, & lack of connection with parent
10 to 12 months
reaches for objects
points, waves, & shows or gives an object
imitates & initiates gestures for social games, ex: peekaboo
tries to copy sounds that you make
enjoys dancing
responds appropriately to words & phrases, ex: hi, look, bye
says one or two words, ex: mama, dada, hi, bye, etc.
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 12 months: easily upset by sounds that would not be upsetting to others, limited babbling, not using gestures to communicate, relying exclusively on context for language understanding, & not responding to their name
13 to 18 months
looks around when asked where questions
follows simple directions, ex: "come here," "give me," etc.
points to request, comment, or question
shakes head for "no" & nods head for "yes"
understands & uses words for common items, people, etc.
identifies at least one body part
uses gestures when excited, ex: clapping, high-fives, etc.
uses longs strings of sounds, syllables, & real words
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 18 months: not using at least three consonant sounds (p, b, m, t, d, w, h, n), not imitating or spontaneously producing single words, not persistent in communication (gives up easily if parent does not understand), not imitating simple actions or sounds, & does not say at least 10 words consistently
19 to 24 months
uses & understands at least 50 different words
speech may not be clear, ex: du for "shoe," dah for "dog"
puts two or more words together, ex: more water, go out
follows two-step directions, ex: "get the cup & put it here"
uses words like me, mine, & you
uses words to ask for help
uses possessives, ex: daddy's truck
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 24 months: using less than 50 words independently, not using at least 5 consonant sounds (p, b, m, t, d, h, w, n), not following simple directions, not using two-word phrases, compulsively labels objects instead of requesting or commenting, & regression in language development (stops talking)
2 to 3 years
uses phrases often but may repeat some words
tries to get your attention, ex: look at me!
says their name when asked
uses some plural words, ex: birds, toys, etc.
uses -ing & -ed, ex: running, played, etc.
gives reasons, ex: saying they need a coat when it's cold
asks why & how
answers questions like "which one can you wear?"
correctly produces p, b, m, h, w, d, & n in words
correctly produces most vowels in words
speech is getting clearer, may not be understood by others
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
by 3 years: only producing single-syllable words without final consonants (ba for "ball"), few or no phrases, not asking questions, frequent tantrums when not understood or cannot communicate effectively, & repeating speech without communicative intent