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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

  • Recognizes own name

  • Follows simple motor instructions (waving, blowing kisses, etc.)

  • Speaks one or more words

  • Mixes babbling with words

  • Obeys some commands

  • Imitates some adult speech sounds

24 Months

  • Likes rhyming games

  • Pulls person to show them something

  • Tries to "tell" experiences

  • Understands personal pronouns

  • Uses "I", "Me", and "You"

  • Has 200-300 word vocabulary

  • Uses short incomplete sentences

  • Uses some prepositions (in, on)

  • Uses some regular verb endings (-ing, -ed, -s)

  • imitates household chore tasks

  • Communicates feelings

4 Years

 

  • Has 1500 to 1600 word vocabulary

  • Asks Questions

  • More complex sentence form

  • Retells stories

  • Understands questions about immediate environment

  • Still has difficulty with "how" and "why" questions

  • Relies on word order for interpreting sentences

 

18 Months

  • Points to certain vocabulary (toys, clothes, people, animals, body parts)

  • Has 4-6 word vocabulary

  • Begins using 2 word utterances

  • Sings and hums

3 Years

  • Has 900-1000 word vocabulary

  • Utters 3-4 word sentences

  • Uses correct simple sentence structure

  • Follows 2 step commands

  • Talks about the present

  • Shares and takes turns for short periods of time

 

5 Years

  • Has 2100 to 2200 word vocabulary

  • Discusses feelings

  • Understands before/after in word order

  • Follows 3 step commands

  • Has 90% grammer acquisition

 

Adapted from Language Development and Introduction by Robert E. Owens Jr., Third edition

 

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