Tips for Encouraging Two Types of An Introduction to and Language Development Communication Skills From birth baby begins to develop the two Speech and Use a high-pitched, sing-song voice. This helps get communication skills they will continue to build and keep your baby’s attention while you talk. on and use throughout their life: Language Play with sounds. Get silly while playing and make • Receptive communication is the ability to receive sounds that connect with what your child is doing. and understand a message from another person. Baby Development Use facial expressions and to communicate demonstrates this skill by turning their head towards your the meaning of words. voice and responding to simple directions. Describe your actions as you dress, feed, and bathe • Expressive communication is the ability to convey a your child. Pairing the same words with routine message to another person through sounds, speech, signs, activities is a great way to develop language. or writing. Crying, , and using body language are examples of baby’s early expressive skills. Encourage two-way communication. When your child communicates with you using sounds, words, or gestures, be sure to respond and take turns in “conversation.” Read with your child. “” can simply mean describing pictures without following the written words. Choose books with large, colorful pictures, and encourage your child to point to and name familiar objects.

Expand your child’s by building on the Pathways.org empowers parents and health professionals words they already know. For example, if your child with FREE tools and resources to maximize a child’s motor, sensory, says “dog,” you could say “Yes, that’s a big dog!” and communication development.

Recast your child’s phrases. If your child makes a 800-955-CHILD (2445) speech or language error, respond with their phrase Copy freely. [email protected] DO NOT CHANGE. in the correct form. This helps them learn proper MUST ACKNOWLEDGE www.pathways.org PATHWAYS.ORG. pronunciation and . For example, if your child Permission to cite any part of this work must be obtained says “Doggy big,” you can respond with “Yes, the doggy from Pathways.org. Materials are provided at no cost; no fees or charges may be is big.” associated with any of the Pathways.org materials FREE tools to maximize without prior written approval. Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Speech & Hearing & Language Understanding

BY Makes eye contact Turns head toward sound or voice Cries differently for different Quiets or smiles when spoken to needs, e.g. hungry vs. tired 3 Shows interest in faces MONTHS Coos, goos, and smiles

BY Begins babbling with p, b and m sounds Listens and responds when spoken to Makes different kinds of Fears loud or unexpected noises sounds to express feelings 6 Notices toys that make sounds MONTHS Imitates sounds and facial expressions

BY Uses many sounds in babbling Responds to own name Participates in two-way communication Looks at familiar objects and people when named 9 Begins using hand movements to MONTHS communicate wants and needs, Follows some routine commands e.g. reaches to be picked-up paired with gestures

BY Says one or two words, Understands up to 50 words e.g. “mama,” “dada” Responds to simple directions, Imitates speech sounds e.g. “come here” 12 MONTHS Babbling has sounds and Pays attention to where you rhythms of speech are looking and

BY May use 4 – 6 different words Consistently follows simple directions Imitates simple words and actions Shows interest in pictures 15 Combines sounds and gestures Can identify 1 – 2 body MONTHS parts when named

BY Uses 20 words (mostly nouns) Points at familiar objects and people in pictures Responds to questions Understands “in” and “on” 18 Continues to produce MONTHS speech-like babbling Responds to yes/no questions with head shake/nod

BY Uses at least 50 words Understands simple emotion words (happy, sad) Consistently imitates new words Understands simple

21 Names objects and pictures pronouns (me, you, my) MONTHS Identifies 3 – 5 body parts when named

BY Uses words more than gestures Understands more than 300 words Begins to use 2-word phrases Understands action words 24 Uses simple pronouns (me, you, my) Enjoys listening to stories MONTHS

BY Consistently uses 2 – 3 word phrases Follows 2-step directions, e.g. “Pick up your coat and bring it to me.” Uses “in” and “on” Understands basic nouns, 30 At least 50% of speech is verbs, pronouns MONTHS understood by caregiver Understands “mine” and “yours”

BY Asks “what” and “where” questions Understands opposites, e.g. “big” and “small” Uses plurals, e.g. “dogs” Simple understanding of concepts 36 Most speech is understood by caregiver including color, space, time MONTHS Understands “why” questions