SPEECH & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
(resource: Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC))
Communication develops gradually and at a different rate for all children. The following reflects the ages at which most children reach a communication milestone. If a child does not demonstrate a skill in an age-range listed below, it does not mean there is necessarily a problem. If there are several skills in an age-range that your child is not demonstrating, you should consult a speech-language pathologist.
BIRTH TO 3 MONTHS
- Makes cooing sounds
- Has different cries for different needs
- Smiles at you
- Startles to loud sounds
- Soothes/calms to a familiar voice
4 to 6 MONTHS
- Babbles and makes different sounds
- Makes sounds back when you talk
- Enjoys games like peek-a-boo
- Turns his/her eyes toward a sound source
- Responds to music or toys that makes noises
7 TO 12 MONTHS
- Waves hi/bye
- Responds to his/her name
- Lets you know what he/she wants using sounds, and/or actions like pointing
- Begins to follow simple directions (e.g., Where is your nose?)
- Pays attention when spoken to
12 TO 18 MONTHS
- Uses common words and starts to put words together
- Enjoys listening to storybooks
- Points to body parts or pictures in a book when asked
- Looks at your face when talking to you
18 TO 24 MONTHS
- Understands more words than he/she can say
- Says two words together (e.g., more water)
- Asks simple questions (e.g., what’s that?)
- Takes turns in conversation
2 TO 3 YEARS
- Uses sentences of 3 or more words most of the time
- Understands different concepts (e.g., in-on; up-down; big-little)
- Follows two-step directions (e.g., get the book and put it on the shelf)
- Answers simple questions (e.g., Where is the car?)
- Participates in short conversations
3 TO 4 YEARS
- Tells a short story or talks about daily activities
- Talks in sentences with adult-like grammar (e.g., uses articles a/the, pronouns I/me/she/them/your, uses verb tenses walking/sleeps/played/will swim)
- Generally speaks clearly so people can understand
- Answers a variety of questions
4 TO 5 YEARS
- Pronounces most speech sounds correctly
- Participates in and understands conversations
- Recognizes familiar signs (e.g., stop sign)
- Makes up rhymes
- Understands most of what is said at home and at school
- Listens to and retells a story
- Asks and answers questions about a story
LINKS
- The ABeCeDarian Reading Program (http://www.abcdrp.com/)
- Assistive Devices Program (https://www.ontario.ca/page/
assistive-devices-program) - College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) (http://www.caslpo.com/)
- Grandview Children’s Centre (https://grandviewkids.ca/)
- The Hanen Centre (http://www.hanen.org/Home.aspx)
- The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA) (https://www.osla.on.ca/)
- Personal Health Information Protection Act – Frequently Asked Questions (https://www.ipc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/Resources/phipa-faq.pdf)
- The PROMPT Institute (http://www.promptinstitute.com/)
- Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) (http://www.sac-oac.ca/)