Tips for Encouraging Speech and Two Types of An Introduction to ®

Language Development Communication Skills

From birth baby begins to develop
Speech and
Language
 se a high-pitched, sing-song voice. This helps get
U
the two communication skills they will
and keep your baby’s attention while you talk.
continue to build on and use throughout

Development

Play with sounds. Get silly while playing and make their life:
sounds that connect with what your child is doing.
• Receptive communication is the ability to receive and
Use facial expressions and gestures to communicate understand a message from another person. Baby
the meaning of words. demonstrates this skill by turning
their head towards your voice and responding to
 escribe your actions as you dress, feed, and bathe
D
simple directions.
your child. Pairing the same words with routine
activities is a great way to develop language. • Expressive communication is the ability to convey a
message to another person through sounds, speech,

Encourage two-way communication. When your
signs, or writing. Crying, babbling, and using body
child communicates with you using sounds, words,
language are examples of baby’s early expressive skills.
or gestures, be sure to respond and take turns in
“conversation.”

Read with your child. “Reading” can simply mean

describing pictures without following the written
words. Choose books with large, colorful pictures,
and encourage your child to point to and name
familiar objects. ®


Expand your child’s vocabulary by building on the
Pathways.org empowers parents and health professionals
words they already know. For example, if your child with FREE tools and resources to maximize a child’s motor, sensory,
says “dog,” you could say “Yes, that’s a big dog!” and communication development.
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 eword your child’s phrases. If your child makes a
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 Speech & Hearing &
® Expressive Receptive
BY  Makes eye contact  Turns head toward sound or voice
 Cries differently for different  Quiets or smiles in response to sound or voice
needs, e.g. hungry vs. tired
3  Shows interest in faces
MONTHS
 Coos and smiles

 Begins to use consonant sounds

BY in babbling, e.g. “da, da, da”  Listens and responds when spoken to

6  Makes different kinds of sounds  Reacts to sudden noises or sounds

MONTHS to express feelings
 Notices toys that make sounds
 Uses babbling to get attention

 Imitates sounds  Recognizes sound of their name

BY  Uses Increased variety of sounds and  Looks at familiar objects and people when named
syllable combinations in babbling
9  Follows some routine commands paired with gestures
MONTHS  Participates in two-way communication
 Shows recognition of commonly used words
 Uses simple gestures, e.g. shaking head for “no”

 Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”

 Imitates speech sounds
 Responds to “no”
 Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech
BY  Responds to simple directions, e.g. “come here”
 Produces longa strings of gibberish
12 (jargoning) in social communication  Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing
MONTHS
 Says one or two words
 Begins using hand movements to communicate
wants and needs, e.g. reaches to be picked up

 May use 5-10 words  Consistently follows simple directions

BY
 Imitates simple words and actions  Shows interest in pictures
 Combines sounds and gestures  Can identify 1-2 body parts when named
15
MONTHS
 Understands 50 words

BY  Repeats words overheard in conversation  Points at familiar objects and people in pictures
18  Responds to questions  Understands “in” and “on”
MONTHS  Continues to produce speech-like babbling  Responds to yes/no questions with head shake/nod

BY  Uses at least 50 words  Understands simple pronouns (me, you, my)

21  Consistently imitates new words  Understands new words quickly

MONTHS  Names objects and pictures  Identifies 3-5 body parts when named

 Uses gestures and words during pretend play  Understands action words
BY
 Begins to use 2-word phrases  Follows 2-step related directions, e.g.
24  Uses simple pronouns (me, you, my) “Pick up your coat and bring it to me.”
MONTHS
 Enjoys listening to stories

 Consistently uses 2-3 word phrases  Follows 2-step unrelated directions, e.g.
BY
“Give me the ball and go get your coat.”
 Uses “in” and “on”
30  Understands basic nouns and pronouns
MONTHS  At least 50% of speech is
understood by caregiver  Understands “mine” and “yours”

 Asks “what” and “where” questions  Understands most simple sentences

BY
 Uses plurals, e.g. “dogs”  Simple understanding of concepts
36 including color, space, time
MONTHS  Most speech is understood by caregiver
 Understands “why” questions
*Remember to correct your child’s age for prematurity.
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