Children's Speech Center - Speech and Language

Milestones

What is your child’s age?

Birth to 6 Months

1 Year

18 Months

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5-6 Years

Age of Child	Normal Language Development
Birth to 6 Months	Startles to noises Cry differently for different needs Responds to ‘no’ or changes in tone of voice Repeat sounds, like cooing Exchange back and forth smiles, gestures and sounds with others Responds to name Make speech-like sounds using p, b, m sounds
1 Year	Uses one or more words with meaning (this may be a part of a word) Understands simple instructions, especially if vocal or physical cues are given Practices voice inflection Is aware of the social value of speech (body language)
18 Months	Understands approximately 100 words Uses single words (approximately 5-20 different words) Vocabulary made up mainly of nouns Follows simple directions
2 Years	Understands 300-500 words Uses approximately 150-300 words Beginning to combine two words Understands concepts of one and all Answers ‘what’ questions Asks basic questions Is able to use at least two prepositions: in, on, under Approximately 2/3 of what child says should be understood by others
3 Years	Understands 900-1200 words Uses 500-800 words Asks and answers basic ‘WH’ questions Follows three step directions Knows prepositions, usually in, on, under Uses three to five word sentences Begins to have longer, more detailed conversations
4 Years	Understands 1500-2800 words Uses 1000-2000 words Sentences are 5-6 words in length Answers complex questions Begins to use ‘will’ to express future tense
5-6 Years	Understands 13,000 words by age 6 Produces 6-7 word sentences Label common objects by their function (i.e.: spoon is for eating) Follow 3-4 directions, given without interruptions State similarities and differences of items Can answer ‘what happens if…’ questions Uses all pronouns correctly Speech is completely understood by others Can tell a story, with detail, including beginning, middle and end