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


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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


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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


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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