Check your Child's Communication Development
from Birth to Age 5

Communication is developed over time. This checklist outlines the ages that communication milestones are normally reached.

If you realize your child may need help, contact a Speech-Language Pathologist. Parents can refer their children themselves. For Children birth to 5 in Prince George contact Northern Health at 565-7370 or Child Development Centre at 563-7168. Check the yellow pages or contact the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists 1-800-259-8519 or www.caslpa.ca

3 months 6 months 12 months 15 months 18 months

21 months 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years

Developed by Children First Prince George's Speech-Language Pathologist

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by 3 months: make noises (eg., coos, gurgles) turn towards a new sound jump at a loud noise be calmed when you speak in a gentle voice smile at you  return to top

When to call for help: Your baby does not react to your voice or other sounds. Your baby does not smile or make sounds when awake

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by 6 months:  watch your face when you talk cry in a different way when hungry make noises to get attention make sounds back when you talk smile at you and other family members return to top

When to call for help: Your baby does not react to your voice or other sounds. Your baby does not smile or make sounds when awake.

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by 12 months: understand their own name understand words like "bye-bye" or "up" say sounds like "ba ba, na na, ga ga" laugh and try to make sounds like you do say their first word   return to top

When to call for help: Your baby does not wave back at you when you say "bye bye" and wave. Your baby does not try to show  you things by reaching,  looking, or pointing. Your baby does not use a lot of sounds and/or does not copy sounds mouth movements (eg. "rasberry") that you make.

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by 15 months: take turns making sounds say 2 or 3 words, but not clearly understand "no" and shake their head reach or point to something they want while making a sound understand simple questions or directions like "where is your nose?", "show me your shoe". return to top

When to call for help: Your child does not try to say words, make sounds or gestures to tell you what he or she wants. Your child does not follow simple directions even with assistance. Your child does not try to get your attention by pointing to things.

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by 18 months: understand words and point to parts of their bodies like "nose, ear" look for things when asked to, like "get your hat" make new gestures and/or words like you do make gestures or ask for "more" or "again" Says lots of words return to top

When to call for help: Your child does not make sounds or gestures like you do. Your child started to use words, but stopped. Your child uses less than 10 words. Your child is not playing with toys for pretend purposes. (eg. pretending to talk on the phone).

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By 21 months: point to a picture or sign, such as when asked "Where's McDonalds?" play with toys and pretend to do thingslike feeding a doll or going in a car say at least 20 or more words follow directions such as "drink your juice" or "sit down please" return to top

When to call for help Your child only says less than 20 words Your child does not pretend with toys.

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by 2 years child: understand more than they can say say two words together like "more milk" ask "what¹s that?" (may sound like "wha dat" or "whatssat") pick one thing out from a group of objects, such as a cup. begin to follow longer directions  return to top

When to call for help: You have a hard time understanding what your child says. Your child uses fewer than 50 words or does not put two words together.

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by 3 years: use short sentences, like "me do it", "daddy going car" follow simple directions, like "put the teddy bear to bed" place something in the right spot if you say to put it "in", "on" or "under" have a conversation with family members or other familiar people listen to stories and answer simple questions begin to add endings to words, such as running, toys return to top

When to call for help: Your child acts frustrated when trying to talk. You have a hard time under- standing what your child says. Your child does not string together several words to make sentences. Your child finds listening to a 10 minute storybook challenging

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by 4 years: use sentences of 4 to 6 words give directions like "fix this for me" ask many questions like what, where, why tell about things they have done talk to themselves and their toys tell a story or sing a song tell you when they are tired     return to top

When to call for help: Your child repeats words but does not seem to understand. Your child stutters. Other people have a hard time understanding what your child says. Your child uses words in an unusual way Your child finds it difficult to talk about or re-tell past events. Your child is not interested in books

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by 5 years: use sentences that sound almost like an adult be able to say most speech sounds correctly explain what familiar words mean use sentences to describe objects and events explain how to solve a simple problem follow related directions, like "get your crayons, make a picture and put it on the fridge" return to top

When to call for help: Your child does not use complete sentences. Your child does not like talking to other children. Your child has trouble following directions. Your child has not begun to play with sounds in words and make rhymes. Your child cannot repeat or sing songs with  rhyme or pattern.

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special thanks to smallTALK: Huron Perth Preschool Speech Language System