• Speech & Language Milestone Chart

    LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


    By Age One

    Milestones

    •       Recognizes name
    •    Says 2-3 words besides "mama" and "dada"
    •       Imitates familiar words
    •       Understands simple instructions
    •       Recognizes words as symbols for objects: Car - points to garage, cat - meows

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Respond to your child's coos, gurgles, and babbling
    •        Talk to your child as you care for him or her throughout the day
    •        Read colorful books to your child every day
    •        Tell nursery rhymes and sing songs
    •        Teach your child the names of everyday items and familiar people
    •        Take your child with you to new places and situations
    •        Play simple games with your child such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake"


    Between One and Two

    Milestones

    •        Understands "no"
    •        Uses 10 to 20 words, including names
    •        Combines two words such as "daddy bye-bye"
    •        Waves good-bye and plays pat-a-cake
    •        Makes the "sounds" of familiar animals
    •        Gives a toy when asked
    •        Uses words such as "more" to make wants known
    •        Points to his or her toes, eyes, and nose
    •        Brings object from another room when asked

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Reward and encourage early efforts at saying new words
    •        Talk to your baby about everything you're doing while you're with him
    •        Talk simply, clearly, and slowly to your child
    •        Talk about new situations before you go, while you're there, and again when you are home
    •        Look at your child when he or she talks to you
    •        Describe what your child is doing, feeling, hearing
    •        Let your child listen to children's records and tapes
    •        Praise your child's efforts to communicate


    Between Two and Three

    Milestones

    •        Identifies body parts
    •        Carries on 'conversation' with self and dolls
    •        Asks "what's that?" And "where's my?"
    •        Uses 2-word negative phrases such as "no want".
    •        Forms some plurals by adding "s"; book, books
    •        Has a 450 word vocabulary
    •        Gives first name, holds up fingers to tell age
    •        Combines nouns and verbs "mommy go"
    •        Understands simple time concepts: "last night", "tomorrow"
    •        Refers to self as "me" rather than by name
    •        Tries to get adult attention: "watch me"
    •        Likes to hear same story repeated
    •        May say "no" when means "yes"
    •        Talks to other children as well as adults
    •        Solves problems by talking instead of hitting or crying
    •        Answers "where" questions
    •        Names common pictures and things
    •        Uses short sentences like "me want more" or "me want cookie"
    •        Matches 3-4 colors, knows big and little

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Repeat new words over and over
    •        Help your child listen and follow instructions by playing games: "pick up the ball, " "Touch Daddy's s nose"
    •        Take your child on trips and talk about what you see before, during and after the trip
    •        Let your child tell you answers to simple questions
    •        Read books every day, perhaps as part of the bedtime routine        Listen attentively as your child talks to you
    •        Describe what you are doing, planning, thinking
    •        Have the child deliver simple messages for you (Mommy needs you, Daddy )
    •        Carry on conversations with the child, preferably when the two of you have some quiet time together
    •        Ask questions to get your child to think and talk
    •        Show the child you understand what he or she says by answering, smiling, and nodding your head
    •        Expand what the; child says. If he or she says, "more juice", You say, "Adam wants more juice."


    Between Three and Four

    Milestones

    •        Can tell a story
    •        Has a sentence length of 4-5 words
    •        Has a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words
    •        Names at least one color
    •        Understands "yesterday," "summer", "lunchtime", "tonight", "little-big"
    •        Begins to obey requests like "put the block under the chair"
    •        Knows his or her last name, name of street on which he/she lives and several nursery rhymes

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Talk about how objects are the same or different
    •        Help your child to tell stories using books and pictures
    •        Let your child play with other children
    •        Read longer stories to your child
    •        Pay attention to your child when he's talking
    •        Talk about places you've been or will be going


    Between Four and Five

    Milestones

    •        Has sentence length of 4-5 words
    •        Uses past tense correctly
    •        Has a vocabulary of nearly 1500 words
    •        Points to colors red, blue, yellow and green
    •        Identifies triangles, circles and squares
    •        Understands "In the morning" , "next", "noontime"
    •        Can speak of imaginary conditions such as "I hope"
    •        Asks many questions, asks "who?" And "why?"

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Help your child sort objects and things (ex. things you eat, animals. . )
    •        Teach your child how to use the telephone
    •        Let your child help you plan activities such as what you will make for Thanksgiving dinner
    •        Continue talking with him about his interests
    •        Read longer stories to him        Let her tell and make up stories for you
    •        Show your pleasure when she comes to talk with you


    Between Five and Six

    Milestones

    •        Has a sentence length of 5-6 words
    •        Has a vocabulary of around 2000 words
    •        Defines objects by their use (you eat with a fork) and can tell what objects are made of
    •        Knows spatial relations like "on top", "behind", "far" and "near"
    •        Knows her address
    •        Identifies a penny, nickel and dime
    •        Knows common opposites like "big/little"
    •        Understands "same" and "different"
    •        Counts ten objects
    •        Asks questions for information
    •        Distinguished left and right hand in herself
    •        Uses all types of sentences, for example "let's go to the store after we eat"

    Activities to Encourage your Child's Language

    •        Praise your child when she talks about her feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears
    •        Comment on what you did or how you think your child feels
    •        Sing songs, rhymes with your child
    •        Continue to read longer stories
    •        Talk with him as you would an adult
    •        Look at family photos and talk to him about your family history
    •        Listen to her when she talks to you