| Parents often ask, "How do I know if my child's speech
and language skills are normal for his age group?" Below is
a timetable outlining normal speech and language development.
NORMAL SPEECH & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
An individual child may not follow this timetable exactly, however,
it may be used as a general guide in helping to identify speech
and language problems at an early age.
|
Age |
Ability to Understand |
Expressive Language |
3-6 months |
seeks sound source; smiles in response
to speech, recognizes bottle |
babbling begins; vocalize pleasure;
displeasure |
7-9 months |
responds to "no"; responds
to gestures; pat-a-cake, bye-bye |
/m, n, t, d, b, p, z/ babbling; multiple
syllables (maybe "mamma", "dada"), imitates
speech sounds |
10-12 months |
begins to relate object and name; follows
simple commands regarding body action; responds to own name
consistently |
may acquire 1st true word; (10-18 months);
sentence-like intonations (jargon) begin; uses all sounds
in vocal play |
1-1.5 years |
simple 1-step commands; recognizes some
body parts, objects |
3-20 single words; jargon; gestures |
1.5- 2 years |
200-300 words; simple yes/no questions |
uses 20-60 recognizable words; 2-word
combinations ("daddy car", "more milk");
65% intelligible by 2 years |
| 2-3 years |
800-900 words; why, what, where questions;
listens to short stories |
uses 200-500 words; 3-4 words sentences
("daddy drive car", "I want to play");
grammar emerging; 70-80%intelligible |
3-4 years |
1200-1500 words; understands comparisons
(big, little); responds to 2-part commands |
uses 800-1500 words; 4-5 words sentences;
question asking stage |
4-5 years |
2500 words; answers complex questions;
some color/number concepts |
uses 1500-2000 words; very intelligible
in connected speech; 4-8 words sentences (grammar refined);
tells long stories |
Since good hearing is essential to speech development, parents
of children with frequent occurrences of otitis media (ear infections)
should pay close attention to the development of their child's speech
and language skills.
The days of "Wait and see if he grows out of it," are
quickly disappearing. If you are concerned with the adequacy of
your child's speech and language development, make this the time
to seek the help of a qualified professional.
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