Language is the communication of ideas. This communication can be verbal or visual (such as sign language or written communication). Speech is the verbal expression of language. As babies grow language is a normal part of the developmental process. However, if your child is not reaching the normal language milestones or has regressed, there may be a developmental delay or disorder.
Language Development Milestones Ages Birth to Six Years
Watch for the following language milestones, adapted from the University of Michigan Health System.
- Birth: Crying
- Two to Three Months: Cries differently in different circumstances; coos in response to you
- Four to Five Months: Babbles randomly
- Five to Six Months: Babbles rhythmically
- Six to Seven Months: Imitates speech with expression
- 12 Months: Says one to two words; recognizes name; imitates familiar sounds; understands simple directions
- 18 Months: Uses five to twenty words
- One to Two Years: Says two-word sentences; waves good-bye; imitates animal noises; makes wants and needs known; understands “no”
- Two to Three Years: Can identify body parts; says “me” instead of name; uses nouns and verbs together; vocabulary is about 450 words; uses short sentences; matches three to four colors, understands big and little; wants to repeatedly hear the same story; uses some plurals
- Three to Four Years: Able to tell a story; uses four to five words in a sentence; has a vocabulary of about 1000 words; knows last name, name of street; knows or recognizes several nursery rhymes
- Four to Five Years: Forms past tense; has a vocabulary of approximately 1500 words; can identify colors, shapes; asks "why and who" questions
- Five to Six: Uses five to six word sentences; has 2000 words in vocabulary; can tell you what things are made of; understands spatial relations (like “between” and “close”); knows address; recognizes same and different; identifies coins; can count ten objects; knows right and left; uses all sentence structures.
Receptive Language Delay
Receptive language refers to understanding language. If your child does not seem to understand what you are telling him, cannot follow simple instructions by one year or does not listen, he may have a receptive language delay.
Expressive Language Delay
Expressive language is the expression of thoughts and ideas. Expressive language includes vocabulary, grammar and syntax as well as gestures and signs. If your child does not begin talking by 18 months, has a small vocabulary in comparison to others their age, does not use pronouns or reduces sentence structure after age three (e.g. “I do” instead of “I want to do it.”), he may have an expressive language delay.
If you believe your child has a language delay, discuss this concern with your pediatrician. Your child's doctor will be able to refer you to specialists who can diagnose the problem, or alleviate your fears.
Sources:
University of Michigan Health Systems. "Speech and Language Delay and Disorder" (accessed September 13, 2010).
American Speech-Hearing-Language Association. "Late Blooming or Language Problem" (accessed September 13,2010).
Sheila Holloway - Sheila Holloway is a psychology student at Liberty University. She has been a professional romance novelist since 2004 and freelance ...
Join the Conversation