SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
DEVELOPMENTAL
MILESTONES
BIRTH
Makes pleasure sounds
0-3 MONTHS
Repeats the same sounds a lot (cooing)
Cries differently for different needs
Smiles when he/she sees you
4-6 MONTHS
Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, b, and m
Tells you (by sound or gesture) when he wants you to do something
Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you
7 MONTHS - 1 YEAR
Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tat upup bibibib”
Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get and keep attention
Imitates different speech sounds
Has 1 or 2 words (“bye-bye”, “dada”, “mama,” “no”) although they may not be clear
1-2 YEARS
Says more words every month
Uses some 1-2 word questions (“Where Kitty?” “Go bye-bye?” “What’s that?”)
Puts 2 words together (“more cookie,” “no juice,” “mommy book”)
Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words
2-3 YEARS
Has a word for almost everything
Uses 2-3 word “sentences” to talk about and ask for things
Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time
Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them
3-4 YEARS
Talks about activities at school or at friends’ homes
Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words
People outside family usually understand child’s speech
Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words
4-5 YEARS
Voice sounds clear like other children’s
Uses sentences that give lots of details
Tells stories that stick to the topic
Communicates easily with other children and adults
Says most sounds correctly