Speech Milestones by Age: Tracking Your Child's Communication Development 📅🗣️

As parents, one of the most exciting parts of your child’s growth is watching them develop their speech and language skills. From their first coo to full conversations, these milestones are key markers in their development. Knowing what to expect at each stage can help you better support your child's growth and identify if there are any areas that need extra attention.

In this post, we’ll cover common speech and language milestones by age and provide a chart to help you track your child’s progress!

What Are Speech Milestones? 🤔

Speech milestones are the typical stages that children go through as they develop the ability to communicate. These milestones vary slightly from child to child, but they give a general framework for what you can expect at different ages.

It’s important to remember that children develop at their own pace. Some kids may hit certain milestones earlier or later than their peers, and that’s completely normal! However, if you’re concerned that your child is significantly behind in certain areas, it’s always a good idea to consult with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation.

Speech and Language Milestones by Age 📈

Here’s a breakdown of common speech and language milestones by age:

Age	Speech & Language Milestones
0-6 Months	- Begins cooing and babbling. 🗣️ - Responds to loud sounds. 🔊 - Makes eye contact and smiles at people. 😊
6-12 Months	- Babbling with a variety of sounds. 🎶 - Says simple words like "mama" or "dada." 🍼 - Responds to their name. 👂
12-18 Months	- Has a vocabulary of 5-10 words. 🧸 - Understands simple commands like “come here” or “give me.” 📢
18-24 Months	- Vocabulary increases to 50 words or more. 🏆 - Begins to combine 2 words into simple phrases like “want cookie.” 🍪
2-3 Years	- Uses 2-3 word sentences. 💬 - Can name familiar objects, people, and animals. 🐶 - Follows 1-2 step commands. 📋
3-4 Years	- Uses 3-4 word sentences. 📚 - Speech is understandable, but may still make occasional errors. 🗨️ - Tells short stories. 📝
4-5 Years	- Uses complete sentences. 📑 - Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why” questions. ❓ - Speech is 100% intelligible. 👂
5-6 Years	- Can engage in conversations. 🗣️ - Uses more complex grammar (past tense, plurals). 📖 - Can describe events in order. 🔄

Why Tracking Speech Milestones Is Important 📊

Tracking your child's speech milestones gives you an idea of where they are in their communication development. It helps you:

• Understand your child’s progress: By tracking milestones, you can celebrate their achievements and also notice any potential areas of concern.

• Identify delays early: If your child is not hitting certain milestones, early intervention can help. The sooner a delay is identified, the quicker you can get the right support.

• Be proactive in your child’s development: Tracking allows you to introduce strategies and activities to encourage communication growth at the right time.

What to Do If You’re Concerned About Speech Delays 🧐

If you notice your child is falling behind in one or more areas, it’s important to speak with a speech-language pathologist. An SLP can assess your child’s development and recommend strategies to help them catch up, if necessary.

Fun Ways to Encourage Speech and Language Development at Home 🏡

While your child is hitting their milestones, you can actively support their development by:

• Reading together daily: 📚 Choose books that match your child’s age, and encourage them to point to pictures and name objects.

• Engaging in conversations: 🗨️ Ask questions, make eye contact, and wait for responses to help your child practice communication.

• Playing pretend games: 🎭 Play with dolls, action figures, or animals to encourage your child to use their imagination and develop storytelling skills.

Next Steps

If you're concerned about your child’s speech or language development or just want to learn more about how to support their growth, reach out to us!