Are you wondering if your child’s speech and language skills are developing age-appropriately? Here is a list of skills that children are expected to have by each age:
Speech and Language Milestones
Quiets or smiles when you talk; Makes cooing sounds; Smiles at people; Startles at loud noises
Moves eyes in the direction of sound; Coos and babbles when playing; Makes speech-like babbling sounds, such as “bah” and “pah;" Responds to changes in your tone of voice
Looks when you point; Turns when you call his/her name; Understands words for common items and people; Babbles long strings of sounds; Uses sounds and gestures to get and keep attention; Says 1-2 words
Points to a few body parts when asked; Follows one-part directions; Responds to simple questions; Uses the sounds /p/, /b/, /m/, /h/, and /w/ in words; Starts to name pictures in books; Begins putting two words together
Follows two-part directions; Understands new words quickly; Uses the sounds /k/, /g/, /f/, /t/, /d/, and /n/ in words; Uses 2-3 word phrases to talk about and ask for things; Talks about things that are not in the room
Understands words for some colors, shapes, and family members; Answers simple who, what, and where questions; Uses pronouns like I, you, me, we, and they; Uses some plural words, like books, buses, or cats; Puts four words together; Talks about what happened during the day; Most people can understand what your child is saying
Understands words for order, like first, next, and last; Understands words for time, like yesterday and today; Follows longer, multistep directions; Says all speech sounds in words, but may mistakes on sounds that are harder to say; Tells short stories; Can keep a conversation going
This list serves as a guide for understanding your child’s speech and language development. It is not a replacement for seeking a comprehensive speech and language evaluation. If you have concerns regarding your child’s speech and language skills, please contact us.
Adapted from ASHA.org