The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a child’s development. It’s a time of tremendous brain development that is very important for communication development. Babies begin communicating by crying, and then in a few months start babbling and imitating sounds. So much of a young child’s learning depends on having the ability to communicate with others, to begin to understand their world, to express their wishes and to ask those important questions about “why.”
Newborn
Communicates mainly by crying.
Gives clues about being hungry by smacking lips and rooting.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.
1 Month
Makes cooing sounds.
Cries to communicate.
Smacks lips and roots when hungry.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.
2 Months
Makes cooing sounds.
Cries to communicate needs.
Turns head toward sounds.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.
3 Months
Makes cooing sounds.
Chuckles in response to you.
Cries when hungry or uncomfortable.
Makes gurgling noises.
4 Months
Babbles and imitates sounds.
Laughs aloud.
Cries in different ways when hungry, in pain or tired.
6 Months
Coos and babbles more than two vowel sounds (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”), squeals and laughs.
Copies sounds that others make.
Responds to own name.
Begins to say consonant sounds like “b” and “m.”
9 Months
Makes sounds like “bababa,” “dadada,” “mamama.”
Understands “no.”
Copies gestures such as nodding head for “yes” and shaking head for “no.”
Points at things.
12 Months
Uses simple gestures like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye.”
Says “mama” and “dada.”
Tries to say words.
Responds to simple requests such as shaking head when asked, “are you all done?”
18 Months
Says three or more single words.
Starts to imitate two-word phrases, such as “all done.”
Points to show what he/she wants.
Says “no” and shakes head.
2 Years
Uses two or three words together.
Points to things or pictures in a book when named.
Follows simple directions.
Knows names of familiar people, and body parts.
3 Years
Uses three-word sentences and carries on a conversation.
Talks clearly enough so that strangers can usually understand.
Follows two- or three-part instructions.
Says words like “I,” “me,” “you,” and “we” and uses some plurals.
Understands words such as “in,” “on” and “under.”
Says first name, age and gender.
Asks “why,” “where,” “what,” “when” and “how” questions.
Names a friend.
4 Years
Tells stories and recalls parts of stories.
Knows some basic rules of grammar and uses words correctly.
Sings a song or says a rhyme from memory.
Says first and last name.
Communicates clearly and speaks in complete sentences.
5 Years
Speaks very clearly, using sentences of five or more words.
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