Early Words

By 6 Months

• turns to sounds
• startles when sudden, loud noises
• makes different cries for different needs
• watches your face as you talk

By 9 Months

• responds to his/her name
• responds to the telephone ringing or a knock at the door
• understands being told “no”
• gets what he/she wants through gestures ie. reaching to be picked up

By 12 Months

• follows simple one-step directions – “sit down”
• looks across the room to something you point to
• consistently uses three to five words
• uses gestures to communicate – waves “bye bye”, shakes head “no”

By 18 Months

• understands the concepts of “in and out”, “off and on”
• points to several body parts when asked
• uses at least 20 words consistently
• responds with words or gestures to simple questions

By 24 Months

• follows two-step directions
• uses 100 to 150 words
• uses at least two pronouns – you, me, mine
• consistently combines two to four words in short phrases

By 30 Months

• understands the concepts of size and quantity
• uses some adult grammar- two cookies, bird flying, I jumped
• uses more than 350 words
• uses action words – run, spill, fall

By Age 3

• understands, who, what, where and why questions
• creates long sentences using 5-8 words
• talks about past events
• tells simple stories

By Age 4

• follows directions involving 3 or more steps
• uses adult type grammar
• tells stories with a clear beginning, middle and end
• talks to try to solve problems with adults and other children

By Age 5

• follows group directions
• understands directions involving “if…then”
• describes past, present and future events in detail
• seeks to please his/her friends