Speech Milestones
The list below represents "normal" milestones for a child's communication developement. Keep in mind, all children develop at different rates. If you are concerned with your child's communication, please call for an evaluation today.
12 Months
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Recognizes own name
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Follows simple motor instructions (waving, blowing kisses, etc.)
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Speaks one or more words
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Mixes babbling with words
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Obeys some commands
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Imitates some adult speech sounds
24 Months
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Likes rhyming games
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Pulls person to show them something
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Tries to "tell" experiences
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Understands personal pronouns
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Uses "I", "Me", and "You"
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Has 200-300 word vocabulary
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Uses short incomplete sentences
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Uses some prepositions (in, on)
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Uses some regular verb endings (-ing, -ed, -s)
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imitates household chore tasks
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Communicates feelings
4 Years
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Has 1500 to 1600 word vocabulary
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Asks Questions
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More complex sentence form
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Retells stories
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Understands questions about immediate environment
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Still has difficulty with "how" and "why" questions
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Relies on word order for interpreting sentences
18 Months
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Points to certain vocabulary (toys, clothes, people, animals, body parts)
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Has 4-6 word vocabulary
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Begins using 2 word utterances
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Sings and hums
3 Years
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Has 900-1000 word vocabulary
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Utters 3-4 word sentences
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Uses correct simple sentence structure
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Follows 2 step commands
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Talks about the present
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Shares and takes turns for short periods of time
5 Years
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Has 2100 to 2200 word vocabulary
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Discusses feelings
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Understands before/after in word order
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Follows 3 step commands
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Has 90% grammer acquisition
Adapted from Language Development and Introduction by Robert E. Owens Jr., Third edition