Developmental Milestones.
Speech, language, or hearing problems can lead to academic and social problems. Give your child success—get help early.
Children develop at their own rate. These charts tell you when most children who speak only one language will reach each milestone. Your child should master the skills listed by the time he reaches the top of the age range. Missing one skill in the age range does not mean he has a problem. You may want to seek help if you answer "no" to most of the skills. Find your child's age below and learn about her speech, language, and hearing development.
Birth to One year
Birth to Three Months
Startles at loud sounds
Quiets or smiles when you talk
Seems to recognize voices
Makes cooing sounds
Crying various depending on needs
Smiles at people
Four to Six Months
Moves her eyes in the direction of sounds
Responds to changes in your tone of voice
Notices toys that make sounds
Pays attention to music
Coos and babbles when playing alone or with you
Makes speech-like babbling sounds, like pa, ba, and mi
Giggles and laughs
Makes sounds when happy or upset
Seven Months to One Year
Turns and looks in the direction of sounds
Looks when you point
Turns when you call her name
Understands words for common items and people—words like cup, truck, juice, and daddy
Starts to respond to simple words and phrases, like “No,” “Come here,” and “Want more?”
Plays games with you, like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Listens to songs and stories for a short time
Babbles long strings of sounds, like mimi upup babababa
Uses sounds and gestures to get and keep attention
Points to objects and shows them to others
Uses gestures like waving bye, reaching for “up,” and shaking his head no
Imitates different speech sounds
Says 1 or 2 words, like hi, dog, dada, mama, or uh-oh. This will happen around his first birthday, but sounds may not be clear
One to Two Years
One to Two Years
Points to a few body parts when you ask
Follows 1-part directions, like "Roll the ball" or "Kiss the baby”
Responds to simple questions, like “Who’s that?” or “Where’s your shoe”
Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes
Points to pictures in a book when you name them
Uses a lot of new words
Uses p, b, m, h, and w in words
Starts to name pictures in books
Asks questions, like “What's that?”, “Who’s that?”, and “Where’s kitty?”
Puts 2 words together, like "more apple," "no bed," and "mommy book”
Two to Three Years
Two to Three Years
Understands opposites, like go–stop, big–little, and up–down
Follows 2-part directions, like "Get the spoon and put it on the table"
Understands new words quickly
Has a word for almost everything
Talks about things that are not in the room
Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n in words
Uses words like in, on, and under
Uses two- or three- words to talk about and ask for things
People who know your child can understand him
Asks “Why?”
Puts 3 words together to talk about things. May repeat some words and sounds