Milestones

Recognizes names

Says 2-3 words besides “mama” and “dada”

Imitates familiar words

Understands simple instructions

Recognizes words as symbols for objects: Car-points to garage; cat-meow

Respond to your child’s coos, gurgles, and babbling

Talk to your child as you care for him or her throughout the day

Read colorful books to your child every day

Tell nursery rhymes and sing songs

Teach your child the names of everyday items and familiar people

Take your child with you to new places and situations

Play simple games with your child such as “peek a boo” and “pat-a-cake”

Understands “no”

Uses 10-20 words such as “Daddy bye-bye”

Waves goodbye and plays “pat-a-cake”

Makes the “sounds” of familiar animals

Gives a toy when asked

Uses words such as “more” to make wants known

Points to his or her toes, eyes, and nose

Brings object from another room when asked

Reward and encourage early efforts at saying new words

Talk to your baby about everything you’re doing while you’re with him

Talk simply, clearly, and slowly to your child

Talk about new situations before you go, while you’re there, and again when you are home

Look at your child when he or she talks to you

Describe what your child is doing, feeling, hearing

Let your child listen to children’s records and tapes

Praise your child’s efforts to communicate

Identifies body parts

Carries on ‘conversation’ with self and dolls

Asks “What’s that?” and “Where’s my…?”

Uses 2 word negative phrases such as “no want.”

Forms some plurals by adding “s”: book, books

Has a 450 word vocabulary

Gives first name, holds up fingers to tell age

Combines nouns and verbs; “mommy go”

Understands simple time concepts: “last night,” “tomorrow”

Refers to self as “me” rather than by name

Tries to get adult attention: “watch me”

Likes to hear same story repeated

May say “no” when means “yes”

Talks to other children as well as adults

Solves problems by talking instead of hitting or crying

Answers “where” questions

Names common pictures and things

Uses short sentences like “me want more” or “me want cookie”

Matches 3-4 colors, knows big and little

Repeat new words over and over

Helps your child listen and follow instructions by playing games: “pick up the ball,” “Touch Daddy’s nose”

Take your child on trips and talk about what you see before, during, and after the trip

Let your child tell you answers to simple questions

Read books every day, perhaps as part of the bedtime routine

Listen attentively as your child talks to you

Describe what you are doing, planning, thinking

Have the child deliver simple messages for you (Mommy needs you, Daddy)

Carry on conversations with your child, preferably when the two of you have some quiet time together

Ask questions to get your child to think and talk

Show the child you understand what he or she says by answering, smiling, and nodding your head

Expand what the child says. If he or she says, “more juice,” You say, “Adam wants more juice.”

Can tell a story

Has a sentence length of 4-5 words

Has a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words

Understands “yesterday, “summer,” “lunchtime,” “tonight,” “lttle-big”

Begins to obey requests like “put the block under the chair

Knows his or her last name, name of street on which he/she lives and several nursery rhymes

Talk about how objects are the same or different

Help your child to tell stores using books and pictures

Let your child play with other children

Read longer stories to your child

Pay attention to your child when he’s talking

Talk about places you’ve been or will be going

Has sentence length of 4-5 words

Uses past tense correctly

Points to colors red, blue, yellow, and green

Understands “In the morning,” “next: “noontime”

Can speak of imaginary conditions such as “I hope”

Asks many questions, asks “who?” and why?”

Help your child sort objects and things (ex. Things you eat, animals…”

Teach your child how to use the telephone

Let your child help you plan activities such as what you will make for thanksgiving dinner

Continue talking with him about his interest

Read longer stories to him

Let her tell and make up stories for you

Show your pleasure when she comes to talk with you

Has a sentence length of 5-6 words

Has a vocabulary of around 2000 words

Defines objects by their use ( you eat with a fork) and can tell what objects are made of

Knows spatial relations like “on top,” “behind,” “far” and “near”

Knows her address

Identifies a penny, nickel, and dime

Understands “same: and “different”

Counts ten objects

Asks questions for information

Distinguishes left and right hand in herself

Uses all types of sentences, for example “let’s go to the store after we eat.”

Praise your child when they talk about their feelings, thoughts, hopes, and fears

Comment on what you did or how you think our child feels

Sing songs, rhymes with your child

Continue to read longer stories

Talk with your child as you would an adult

Look at family photos and talk to him about your family history

Listen to your when they talk to you