Tips for Encouraging Speech 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 gestures 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, babbling, 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. “Reading” 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 vocabulary 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 grammar. 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 child development 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. BY 3 MONTHS BY 6 MONTHS BY 9 MONTHS BY 12 MONTHS BY 15 MONTHS BY 18 MONTHS BY Hearing & Hearing 21Understanding MONTHS Turns head toward sound or voice toward head Turns to or smiles when spoken Quiets in faces interest Shows to when spoken and responds Listens noises loud or unexpected Fears sounds that make toys Notices name own to Responds objects and at familiar Looks people when named commands some routine Follows with gestures paired 50 words up to Understands simple directions, to Responds here” e.g. “come you where to attention Pays looking and pointing are simple directions follows Consistently in pictures interest Shows Can identify 1 – 2 body when named parts objects at familiar Points and people in pictures “in” and “on” Understands questions yes/no to Responds shake/nod with head simple emotion Understands sad) (happy, words my) (me, you, pronouns when named Identifies 3 – 5 body parts than 300 words more Understands action words Understands stories to listening Enjoys e.g. “Pick directions, 2-step Follows me.” and bring it to coat up your nouns, basic Understands pronouns verbs, and “yours” “mine” Understands opposites, Understands e.g. “big” and “small” of concepts Simple understanding time space, including color, “why” questions Understands Understands Understands simple BY 24 MONTHS BY Speech & 30Language MONTHS Makes eye contact Makes for different Cries differently needs, e.g. hungry vs. tired and smiles Coos, goos, b and m sounds with p, babbling Begins kinds of different Makes feelings express sounds to expressions sounds and facial Imitates many sounds in babbling Uses communication in two-way Participates to using hand movements Begins and needs, wants communicate be picked-up to e.g. reaches words, Says one or two “dada” e.g. “mama,” speech sounds Imitates Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech words May use 4 – 6 different and actions simple words Imitates Combines sounds and gestures (mostly nouns) 20 words Uses questions to Responds produce Continues to babbling speech-like 50 words at least Uses new words imitates Consistently Names objects and pictures than gestures more words Uses phrases use 2-word to Begins my) (me, you, simple pronouns Uses phrases uses 2 – 3 word Consistently “in” and “on” Uses 50% of speech is least At caregiver by understood questions Asks “what” and “where” e.g. “dogs” plurals, Uses caregiver by Most speech is understood BY 36 MONTHS.