Communication Milestones

See below for a list of some communication milestones for ages birth-3 years. These are adapted from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA.org).

Birth-3 months

• Quiets or smiles when you talk

• Makes sounds back and forth with you

• Coos, makes sounds like oooo, ahhhh, and mmmmm.

4-6 months

• Responds to facial expressions

• Blows “raspberries”

• Vocalizes different vowel sounds—sometimes combined with a consonant—like uuuuuummm, aaaaaaagoo, or daaaaaaaaaa

  7-9 Months

• Looks at you when you call their name

• Recognizes some names of people and objects

• Pushes away unwanted objects

  10-12 months

• Points, waves, and shows, or gives objects.

• Tries to copy sounds that you make

• Says one or two words—like mama, dada, hi, and bye.

  13-18 months

• Understands and uses words for common objects, some actions, and people in their lives.

• Uses gestures when excited, like clapping or giving a high-five, or when being silly, like sticking out their tongue or making funny faces.

• Uses a combination of long strings of sounds, syllables, and real words with speech-like inflection

• Follows directions—like “Give me the ball,” “Hug the teddy bear,” “Come here,” or “Show me your nose.

19-24 months

• Uses and understands at least 50 different words for food, toys, animals, and body parts. Speech may not always be clear—like du for “shoe” or dah for “dog.”

• Puts two or more words together—like more water or go outside

• Follows two-step directions—like “Get the spoon, and put it on the table.

2-3 years

• Uses word combinations often but may occasionally repeat some words or phrases, like baby – baby – baby sit down or I want – I want juice.

• Answers questions like “What do you do when you are sleepy?” or “Which one can you wear?

• Speech is becoming clearer but may not be understandable to unfamiliar listeners or to people who do not know your child.