DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES for Receptive & Expressive language acquisition Copyright © 1998 Caroline Bowen
Language learning starts at birth. Even new babies are aware of the sounds in the environment. They listen to the speech of those close to them, and startle or cry if there is an unexpected noise. Loud noises wake them, and they become "still" in response to new sounds.
Astoundingly, between 0-3 months babies learn to turn to you when you speak, and smile when they hear your voice. In fact, they seem to recognise your familiar voice, and will quieten at the sound of it if they are crying. Tiny babies under three months will also stop their activity and attend closely to the sound of an unfamiliar voice. They will often respond to comforting tones whether the voice is familiar or not.
Then, sometime between 4 to 6 months babies respond to the word "no". They are also responsive to changes in your tone of voice, and to sounds other than speech. For example, they can be fascinated by toys that make sounds, enjoy music and rhythm, and look in an interested or apprehensive way for the source of all sorts of new sounds such as the toaster, birdsong, the clip-clop of horses' hooves or the whirr of machines.
The 7 to 12 months period is exciting and fun as the baby now obviously listens when spoken to, turns and looks at your face when called by name, and discovers the fun of games like: "round and round the garden", "peep-oh", "I see" and "pat-a-cake" (These simple games and finger plays will have regional names and variants). It is in this period that you realise that he or she recognises the names of familiar objects ("Daddy", "car", "eyes", "phone", "key") and begins to respond to requests ("Give it to Granny") and questions ("More juice?").
Now your child points to pictures in a book when you name them, and can point to a few body parts when asked. He or she can also follow simple commands ("Push the bus!") and understand simple questions ("Where's the bunny?"). Your toddler now likes listening to simple stories and enjoys it when you sing songs or say rhymes. This is a stage in which they will want the same story, rhyme or game repeated many times.
By now your toddler will understand two stage commands ("Get your socks and put them in the basket") and understand contrasting concepts or meanings like hot / cold, stop / go, in / on and nice / yucky. He or she notices sounds like the telephone or doorbell ringing and may point or become excited, get you to answer, or attempt to answer themselves.
You’re three or four year old understands simple "Who?", "What?" and "Where?" questions and can hear you when you call from another room. This is an age where hearing difficulties may become evident. If you are in doubt about your child's hearing, visit an Audiologist.
Children in this age range enjoy stories and can answer simple questions about them. He or she hears and understands nearly everything that is said to them at home or at pre-school or day care. Your child's ability to hear properly all the time should not be in doubt. If you are in doubt about your child's hearing, visit an Audiologist. If you are in doubt about language comprehension, see a Speech and Language Therapist.
Newborn babies make sounds that let others know that they are experiencing pleasure or pain.
Your baby smiles at you when you come into view. He or she repeats the same sound a lot and "coos and goos" when content. Cries "differentiate". That means the baby uses a different cry for different situations. For example, one cry says "I'm hungry" and another says "I have a pain".
Gurgling sounds or "vocal play" occur while you are playing with your baby or when they are occupying themselves happily. Babbling really gets going in this age range, and your baby will sometimes sound as though he or she is "talking". This "speech-like" babbling includes many sounds including the bilabial (two lip) sounds "p", "b" and "m". The baby can tell you, using sounds or gestures that they want something, or want you to do something. They can make very "urgent" noises to prompt you into action.
The sound of your baby's babbling changes. This is because it now includes more consonants, as well as long and short vowels. He or she uses speech or other sounds (i.e., other than crying) in order to get your attention and hold on to it. And your baby's first words (probably not spoken very clearly) have appeared! ("Mama", "Doggie", "Night Night", "Bye Bye")
Now your baby is accumulating more words as each month passes. He or she will even ask 2-word questions like "Where ball?" "What's that?" "More chippies?" and combine two words in other ways such as "Birdie go", "No doggie", "More push". Words are becoming clearer as more initial consonants are used in words.
You’re two or three year olds vocabulary is exploding! He or she seems to have a word for almost everything. Utterances are usually one, two or three words long and family members can usually understand them. Your toddler may ask for, or draw your attention to something by naming it ("Elephant") or one of its attributes ("Big!") or by commenting ("Wow!").
Sentences are becoming longer as your child can combine four or more words. They talk about things that have happened away from home, and are interested in talking about pre-school, friends, outings and interesting experiences. Speech is usually fluent and clear and "other people" can understand what your child is saying most of the time. If stuttering occurs, see a Speech and Language Therapist. Stuttering is not a normal part of learning to talk, and neither is persistent hoarseness.
Your child speaks clearly and fluently in an easy-to-listen-to voice. He or she can construct long and detailed sentences ("We went to the zoo but we had to come home early because Josie wasn't feeling well"). He or she can tell a long and involved story sticking to the topic, and using "adult-like" grammar. Most sounds are pronounced correctly, though he or she may be lisping as a four year old, or, at five, still have difficulty with "r", "v" and "th". Your child can communicate easily with familiar adults and with other children. They may tell fantastic "tall stories" and engage strangers in conversation when you are out together.
These Ages and Stages have been adapted from the Caroline Bowen website, as referenced below: Bowen, C. (1998). Ages and Stages: Developmental milestones for receptive and expressive language development. Retrieved from www.speech-language-therapy.com/devel2.htm on (01/06/2011).
There is no hard and fast rule as to what age exactly a child’s speech should develop. We must remind ourselves that each child is unique and develops at their own pace. However, here is a rough guide as to how clearly your child should be speaking and by what age:
How well words can be understood by parents and others:
By 18 months a child's speech is normally 25% intelligible
By 24 months a child's speech is normally 50 -75% intelligible
By 36 months a child's speech is normally 75-100% intelligible
Source: Lynch, J.I., Brookshire, B.L., and Fox, D.R. (1980). A Parent - Child Cleft Palate Curriculum: Developing Speech and Language. CC Publications, Oregon. Page 102
Here are some helpful links, resources and therapy ideas. These are easily adaptable and applicable to many Speech and Language Disorders and are ideal for parents and teachers alike!
Talking Point - More information on ages and stages and information on communication development for children of all ages.
The Hanen Centre - A great tool for developing children’s communication early on. Online resources available to buy.
Blacksheep Press - Great resource for Teachers with CD and materials available to buy.
Lingui Systems, Inc. - Provides a wide variety of Speech and Language Therapy resources.
Speaking of Speech - Great website for therapy materials!!!
Citizens Information - This website will provide you with information on the Assessment of Need (AON) and the disability act, and domiciliary care allowance.
© SALT Speech & Language Therapy Clinic 2021
Beechlawn Medical Centre
Carrickbrennan Road
Monkstown, Dublin