Speech and Language Development
The following is a checklist that has been devised by a qualified speech and language therapist (SLT) to briefly see if a child is meeting their milestones. This checklist is not meant as a diagnostic tool; rather it gives a concise overview of general speech and language development goals.
Milestones (by age)
1 - 2 years
Understanding
Knows body parts when asked.
Follows simple directions and understands simple questions (e.g., "Where's your shoe?").
Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes.
Points to pictures in a book when named.
Talking
Puts two words together (e.g., "more cookie", "no juice", "mommy book").
Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
2 - 3 years
Understanding
Follows two-part requests (e.g., "Get the book and put it on the table").
Listens to and enjoys hearing stories for longer periods of time.
Talking
Has a word for almost everything.
Uses two - three words to talk about and ask for things.
Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time.
Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them.
3 - 4 years
Understanding
Answers simple "what?", "where?", and "why?" questions.
Talking
People outside of the family usually understand child's speech.
Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words.
Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words.
4 - 5 years
Understanding
Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about them
Talking
Uses sentences that give lots of details (e.g., "The biggest peach is mine").
Tells stories that stick to topic.
Communicates easily with other children and adults.
Says rhyming words.
Names some letters and numbers.
Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family.