Speech & Language Milestones
Understanding your child's communication development
Speech vs. Language
Speech
How we make sounds and words. This includes articulation (making sounds), voice (using vocal cords), and fluency (rhythm of speech).
Language
How we understand and use words to communicate. This includes receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (expressing thoughts).
Communication Milestones by Age
Birth to 3 Months
What Baby Understands
- Startles at loud sounds
- Quiets or smiles when spoken to
- Seems to recognize your voice
- Changes sucking behavior with different sounds
How Baby Communicates
- Makes cooing sounds
- Cries differently for different needs
- Smiles when sees you
4 to 6 Months
What Baby Understands
- Moves eyes in direction of sounds
- Responds to changes in your tone
- Notices toys that make sounds
- Pays attention to music
How Baby Communicates
- Babbles with speech-like sounds (pa, ba, mi)
- Giggles and laughs
- Makes sounds when happy or upset
- Takes turns vocalizing with you
7 to 12 Months
What Baby Understands
- Turns and looks toward sounds
- Listens when spoken to
- Responds to "no"
- Recognizes words for common items (cup, shoe)
- Responds to simple requests ("Come here")
How Baby Communicates
- Babbles with long strings of sounds
- Uses sounds to get attention
- Communicates using gestures (waving, reaching)
- Imitates different speech sounds
- Has 1-2 words by first birthday ("hi," "mama," "dada")
1 to 2 Years
What Toddler Understands
- Points to body parts when asked
- Follows simple 1-step directions
- Points to pictures in a book when named
- Listens to simple stories and songs
- Understands simple questions ("Where's your shoe?")
How Toddler Communicates
- Says more words each month
- Uses 1-2 word questions ("Where kitty?")
- Puts 2 words together ("more milk")
- Uses many different consonant sounds
- Has 50+ words by age 2
2 to 3 Years
What Toddler Understands
- Understands opposites (big/little, up/down)
- Follows 2-step directions ("Get the ball and put it on the table")
- Understands new words quickly
- Understands "who," "what," and "where" questions
How Toddler Communicates
- Uses 2-3 word sentences
- Speech is understood by familiar people most of the time
- Asks "why?" questions
- Names objects to ask for them
- Has 200-1000+ words by age 3
When to Seek Help
Talk to your doctor or contact us if your child:
- Doesn't babble by 9 months
- Doesn't use gestures (waving, pointing) by 12 months
- Doesn't understand simple words by 12 months
- Has no words by 16 months
- Doesn't put 2 words together by 24 months
- Loses speech or language skills at any age
- Is difficult to understand by age 3
Questions About Your Child's Speech?
Our speech-language pathologists are here to help.