FAQs

Speech Milestones

Speech and Language Milestones of 6- to 12-Month-Old

At 6-months-old, a child in general should make different sounds (called babbling), laugh, gurgle, coo with familiar people, react to voices and new sounds, and babble for attention.

At 8-months-old, a child should respond to name, pat image of self in mirror, produce four or more different sounds, use frequently syllables such as ba, da, ka, transfer objects from one hand to another, listen to his or her own vocalizations and those of others, and try to imitate sounds.

At 10-months-old, a child may say “mama” and “dada,” shout to attract attention, use jargon (babbling that sounds like real speech), play Peek-a-Boo, and say a syllable or sequence of sounds repeatedly.

At 12-months-old, a child should recognize his or her name, point to objects for you to get or name, say 2 to 3 words besides “mama” and “dada,” imitate familiar words, understand simple instructions, and recognize words as symbols for objects (for example, hears “car” and point to garage, or hear “cat” and “meows”).

How can you stimulate your child’s speech and language?

• respond to his or her coos, gurgles, and babbling;
• treat these utterances as if they were real language;
• talk to your child during your daily care activities;
• read children books to your child every day;
• keep your speech simple and concrete;
• recite nursery rhymes, sing children songs, and play simple music;
• show interest in all the different sounds you hear (e.g., doorbell and rain);
• make eye contact when interacting with your child;
• teach your child the names of commonly used items, familiar people, and common actions;
• take your child with you to new places and situations;
• play simple games, such as Peek-a-Boo and Pat-a-Cake, with your child;
• and show delight with your child’s efforts to communicate.

Speech and Language Milestones of 12- to 17-Month-Old

From 12 to 17 months of age, a child is generally able to recognize his or her name; understand “no” and simple instructions; point and gesture to call attention to an event or to show wants; imitate familiar words; wave good-bye and play a Pat-a-Cake; use “mama” and “dada” and several other words, usually nouns; practice words; like to make the “sounds” of familiar animals and things; give a toy on request; laugh a great deal; hear and discriminate among many sounds; show a great deal of affection (e.g., make noises and pat parents affectionately); place a cube in a cup on command; scribble imitatively with a crayon; attempt to communicate by mixing jargon with real words; and vocalize for enjoyment.

You can do the following activities or similar activities to stimulate your child’s speech and language:

• read colorful books naming objects and actions and asking your child to point to objects;
• encourage imitation games such as Peek-a-Boo;
• recite nursery rhymes;
• use short sentences when talking to your child;
• imitate your child’s movements and vocalizations;
• reward and encourage efforts at producing new words;
• act as if everything your child says is meaningful;
• talk to your child about things you are doing together (e.g., describe bathing, dressing, eating, shopping, & car riding);
• and teach your child to take turns as you look at one another while you talk.

Speech and Language Milestones of 18-month-old

A child at 18-month-old in general can use 10 or more different words; recognize pictures of familiar persons and objects; start to combine 2 words, such as “all gone” and “Daddy bye-bye;” use words to indicate wants, such as “more” and “up;” imitate words and sounds more precisely; point and gesture to call attention to an event or to show wants; point to own toes, eyes, and nose; bring familiar objects from another room when asked; turn pages of a book a few at a time; follow simple commands; make a tower of 3 to 4 cubes; know and say the names of 5 things; hum and may sing simple tunes; mix real words with jargon on occasion; develop a play routine; and practice words and word combinations.

You can stimulate your 18-month-old child’s language, vocabulary, and communication skills by:

• frequently reading books to your child;
• speaking clearly, slowly and simply to him or her;
• talking about the activities you’re engaged in, such as taking walks, shopping, having a picnic, cleaning house, and planting flowers);
• looking at your child when he or she talks to you;
• imitating and identifying sounds with your child, such as barking dogs and singing birds;
• describing to your child what he or she is doing, feeling, and hearing in short 3-word sentences;
• making speaking and listening experiences pleasant and fun;
• letting the child listen to children’s music and book recordings;
• and responding to your child’s attempts at communication in a meaningful way.

Speech and Language of a 2-year-old

At 2-year-old, a child in general can understand simple questions and commands; identify body parts; use mainly the names of things, actions, persons, and situations in his or her language; carry on “conversation” with self and dolls; ask “what’s this?” “what’s that?” and “where’s my . . .?;” use sentences composed of 2 to 3 words; refer to self by name; name pictures and actions; use 2-word negative phrases such as “no go,” “not right,” and “no want;” form some plurals by adding s (such as book and books); have around 200 words in speaking vocabulary; build an 8-block tower; ask for drink, toilet, and food; listen to stories and points to pictures when asked; and stay with one activity for 6 to 7 minutes.

You can stimulate your 2-year-old child’s speech and language by:

• reading books with simple, colorful pictures;
• talking about what your are doing and about new situations before you go, while you’re there, and again when you’re at home;
• modeling correct speech and language for your child; repeating new words frequently;
• helping your child listen and follow instructions by playing games such as, “pick up the ball,” “touch Daddy’s nose;”
• playing tapes or other recordings of music and singing along; listening to your child when he or she is talking (avoid saying, “I don’t understand you.”);
• responding meaningfully to your child’s communication efforts (e.g., when he or she says, “Where dog?” you can respond, “Where’s the dog? Look, it’s in the backyard.”);
• carrying on a conversation with your child; encouraging taking turns as you talk;
• listening to your child and responding to his or her topic; asking questions to stimulate additional thought and language (e.g., ask “Where did the rabbit go?” and “What are you eating?”);
• pointing out the color and size of everyday objects and helping your child collect items of similar size and color in a basket as you walk around the house;
• and giving your child opportunities to hear and use new words by finishing your sentences (e.g., “Let’s go buy bread at the grocery store.” or “Put on your yellow hat.”)