Approximate Age
|
Expressive Language
|
Auditory Comprehension
|
2-4 months
|
Verbal play through cooing, going, and laughing. Vowel sounds heard such as ooohh, eee, and ahhh.
|
Turns head toward sounds and can begin to discriminate one sound from another.
|
4-8 months
|
Babbling begins. Some consonant sounds can be heard.
|
Anticipates an event (e.g. peek-a-boo) and follows a line of regard (e.g. visually follows toy moving across floor) as well as joint attention (i.e. is capable of visually attending to object with caregiver).
|
8-12 months
|
Syllable variation (e.g. badugatadudah). First word approximations (e.g. dada for daddy). Non-verbal communication. Jargon (i.e. unintelligible speech) is present.
|
Relates words with physical objects (e.g. understands that the word “ball” actually means the object ball). Responds to simple phrase such as “no”.
|
1-2 years
|
10-15 words at 18 months, 40-50 words at 24 months. Uses mostly nouns and pronouns me/mine. Jargon (i.e. unintelligible speech) still present.
|
Increased attention to toys. Changes behavior in response to comments made to him/her. Knows a few simple commands with gestures needed at times. Understands simple questions. Points to simple pictures.
|
2-3 years
|
150 words at age 2; 300-400 words at age 3. Uses two-three word phrases frequently. Asks simple questions. Fluency can be poor. Jargon (unintelligible speech) mostly gone. Vowel sounds intact.
|
Comprehension shows rapid increase. Responds to more 2 step commands with prepositions (e.g. Pick up the ball and put it on the table.).
|
3-4 years
|
Uses 600-1000 words and three-four word sentences. Pronouns and adjectives are used as well, some adverbs, prepositions, past tense and plurals. Answers what, where, and when questions.
|
Understands 1500 words. Recognizes gender differences, plurals, pronouns, adjectives, and colors.
|
4-5 years
|
Vocabulary increases to 1000-1600 words and four-six word sentences, three to four syllable words are being used. Articles appear. Uses more adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions. Fluency improving.
|
Comprehends 1500-2000 words. Understands if, because, why, and when. Follows complex directions.
|
5-6 years
|
Vocabulary of 1500-2100 words. Uses complete five-six word sentences. Fluent speech. Many multi-syllabic words are used.
|
Understands 2500-2800 words. Understands more complicated sentences.
|
*It is important to note that this information depicts a general range of development, and should only be used as a guide.
*Click on the following link for articulation norms:
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart.htm
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart.htm