Milestones for Language & Hearing Development

Birth to 3 Months

• Stops movement/quiets to sounds (parents voice)
• Startles to loud sounds (cries, blinks, body jerks)
  

4 to 6 Months

• Coos and gurgles
• Babbles to self and others
• Calls for attention
• Enjoys noisemakers/rattles
• Vocalizes sounds (turns head toward noises)
  

7 to 10 Months

• Responds to own name
• Looks to “Mom” and “Dad” when said
• Imitates intonation in speech sounds of others
• Vocalizes during play
• Understands common words (“Bye” - “All gone” - “No”)

11 to 15 Months

• Likes music, rhymes, jingles
• Recognizes and imitates simple words and sounds
• Begins imitating words and sounds

16 to 20 Months

• Recognizes body parts (hair, eyes, nose, toes) when named
• Follows simple directions (“Get your shoes on”)
• Enjoys a picture book
• Speaks 10 to 20 words
• Starts to combine words (“more milk” - “Mommy go?”)

21 to 24 Months

• Asks for wants by naming (“juice” - “blankie”)
• Shows interest in radio, television, telephone

24 Months to 3 Years

• Follows two to three directions
• Speaks 50 to 300 words
• Names colors
• Refers to self by name
• Use social terms (“please” - “thank you”)

To learn more contact Speech/Language Pathology in Rehab Services at (402) 644-7396.

Last Updated: 8/7/2006