Even before they can say words, children can communicate. Infants communicate what they need by crying; at about 18 months children experience a vocabulary explosion; and during ages 2 and 3, children produce understandable speech. Children move from understanding language to using sounds and words to communicate. Children learn language by being with people who encourage their efforts to communicate and look for opportunities to communicate with them. By age 4, a child probably knows 5,600 words.

This section will give you some information about what children are typically doing at various ages and stages in their language development.

Birth to 12 Months
Human beings are tuned into language from birth. The infant gurgles and the adult smiles or responds with words, beginning the lifelong give and take of communication. From sighing, cooing, and babbling to the first words, a baby can learn that language is a powerful tool in human society. Developmental milestones to watch for during this time include:

• listens to sounds, looks to locate source of sound
• vocalizes two different sounds
• coos in response to verbal interaction
• babbles and varies volume, pitch of sounds
• uses specific cues for specific needs
• listens attentively when spoken to

• responds to own name
• recognizes familiar words
• stops, for a moment when told "No"
• imitates speech sounds
• imitates environmental sounds

• turns and looks when name is called
• says uh-oh, oops, aw, ow
• uses two words in addition to mama and dada
• responds to simple commands such as “come here”
• shakes head for no, may say no

12 to 18 Months
By the end of their first year, most children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of those words as others respond to them. By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words.

• has 8-20 understandable words
• looks at the person talking to her
• says “hi” or “bye” if reminded
• asks for something by pointing or using one word
• points to objects in books
• follows one-step directions
• points to one or two body parts

18 to 24 Months
By age two, most children are putting words together in crude sentences such as "more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also engage in representational or pretend play.

• has at least one hundred words
• uses two to three word sentences
• “jabbers” expressively
• enjoys singing familiar songs
• points to several body parts
• understands simple requests and commands
• can name several objects in pictures
• follows two-step directions

24 to 36 Months (2-3 Years)
Language skills for two-year-olds are growing rapidly. They can understand and say hundreds of words, but familiar adults may need to ‘translate' for others. During the year, they start to form more complete sentences. They understand simple directions and many common phrases used in routine situations. Children this age rarely start conversations, but they answer adult questions more readily and need less prompting.

• 75-80% of speech is understandable
• has several hundred words
• speaks in complete sentences of 3-5 words
• listens to short stories
• asks who, what, where and why questions
• understands some positions words (under, in, over)
• uses pronouns

36 to 48 Months
Language for three-year-olds is taking off! They learn lots of new words and make major improvements in pronunciation. They communicate in simple sentences and are refining their use of grammar. Three-year-olds are also better able to listen to and understand conversations, stories, songs and poems.

• learns new words every day
• understands 2500-3000 words
• uses sentences with seven or more words
• sings simple songs, rhymes
• most speech can be understood by people outside family
• follows complex, muti-step directions
• starts conversations