0-3 Months

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At this age, baby will make quiet coos, make eye contact, smile, varied cries for tiredness or hungry. It is important that you are modeling the same and communicating with your infant regularly.

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4-6 Months

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At this age, baby will begin to make babbling consonant sounds, (da-da-da) which are the building blocks for full words. They will also explore reactions from your communication with them.

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7-9 Months

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The variety of sounds baby can make will increase. They’ll also begin imitating sounds, participate in 2-part conversations, use simple gestures (ex. shaking head for "no"), and recognizing important words, like their own name!

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10-12 Months

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Baby typically begins using words in meaningful ways. They’ll use basic, easy words like “mama” or “dada” to identify their parents, along with using other communication tools. They will say long strings of gibberish (jargon), have rhythmic babbled sounds/speech, use 1-2 words, and use their hands to reach or communicate their needs and wants (ex. use their little hands to reach for their food or parent).

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13-18 Months

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Your toddler’s vocabulary is expanding! They will imitate simple words and actions, understand dozens of words, use a variety amount of words on their own (5-10), answer basic questions, and combine sounds and gestures. 

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19-24 Months

 

Your toddler’s language skills are continuing to grow & advance. By their second birthday, they’ll begin using two-word phrases, naming objects and pictures, follow directions, use simple pronouns (I, me, you), and enjoy listening to stories.

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When should I be concerned?

If you notice your child is experiencing a speech delay, or having any trouble with understanding communication and/or communicating to you, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

 

What to do if your child is experiencing a communication delay?

 

Look for a healthcare provider, such as a Speech-Language Pathologist, who often diagnose and treat communication deficits and delays. They help children find ways to communicate effectively through verbal and non-verbal language.

 

When should my child see a Speech-Language Pathologist?

 

A child may need to see a speech-language pathologist if:

• Child is unable to safely eat or drink age-appropriate foods and liquids for feeding and swallowing

• Experience difficulty Articulating of age-appropriate sounds (e.g, "f" "k", "g", "s", "r")

• Unable to speak fluently during speech, especially if they struggle with a speech impediment like stuttering

• Difficulty using words, phrases, and sentences to communicate at an age appropriate level, such as needs help using a variety of words to communicate and/or creating phrases using 3-4 words.

• Understanding information such as directions or questions is hard for them & needs help understanding words spoken to them

• Difficulty regulating behavior or making friends, use conversation skills (e.g turn-taking, eye-contact to have a cohesive two-way conversation with others.

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Connect with your child’s primary provider or contact Therapy Bee today to see if a

speech-language pathologist is right for your child!