Is your child reaching his/her Speech and Language Developmental Milestones?

Children typically do not master all items in a category until they reach the upper age in each age range. Just because your child has not accomplished one skill within an age range does not mean the child has a disorder. However, if you have answered no to the majority of items in an age range, please do not hesitate to contact me to schedule a free consultation.

Developmental Speech and Language Milestones
Birth to 5 years

Birth to 6 months

  • Reacts to loud sounds
  • Coos and makes gurgling sounds
  • Has a special way of crying for different needs
  • Babbles in a speech-like way and uses many different sounds

6 to 11 months

  • Recognizes name
  • Responds to requests ("come here")
  • Understands words for common items (cup, shoe, juice)
  • Says 2 or 3 words besides "mama" and "dada" by first birthday
  • Communicates using gestures (waving, holding up arms)
  • Imitates different speech sounds

1 to 2 years

  • Understands "no"
  • Uses 10-20 words, including names
  • Points to simple body parts (eyes, nose, feet)
  • Combines two words such as "daddy bye-bye" by second birthday
  • Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words including p, b, m, n, h, and w.

 

2 to 3 years

  • Uses two- or three-word phrases to talk about and ask for things
  • Uses k, g , f, t, d , and n sounds
  • Speaks in a way that is understood by family members and friends
  • Uses short sentences like "me want more" or "me want cookie"
  • Asks and answers simple questions

3 to 4 years

  • Answers simple "who?" "what?" "where" and "why?" questions
  • Uses sentences with four or more words
  • Talks about activities at daycare, preschool, or friends' homes
  • Speaks easily without having to repeat syllables or words

4 to 5 years

  • Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school
  • Says most sounds correctly except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th)
  • Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about it
  • Names some letters and numbers
  • Uses sentences that give many details
  • Uses past tense correctly
  • Points to colors red, blue , yellow and green

Click here for the "Track Your Child’s Developmental Milestones" brochure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program “Learn the Signs, Act Early” which seeks to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. It includes a brief checklist of key milestones from 6 months to 4 years of age.