When a child begins to communicate verbally this is called speech development. It should be noted that language development and speech development are two different things. A child can excel in language and be delayed in speech and vice versa.

The first three years of life hold the most significant stages in speech development. When a child reaches, a new milestone will vary from child to child. Generally, if a child fails to meet a speech milestone their pediatrician should be alerted but it most likely is not cause for concern. Your doctor will check for health issues that may be causing a delay such as bad hearing. If a delay is suspected and no health issues can be found you may be recommended to a speech therapist that can help get your child back on track verbally.

Speech and Language Milestones:

By five months of age a baby should:

• react to sounds
• Turn head in the direction of voices
• Watch your face when you speak
• Make noise when spoken to and vocalize emotion (giggling, crying, etc.)

By 11 months of age a baby should:

• understand the word “no”
• Make babbling noises such as ba-ba-ba
• Attempt to communicate using gestures and actions
• Attempt to imitate your sounds

By age 1 ½ a child should:

• Answer simple questions non-verbally and follow simple instructions
• Points at objects to express want
• Imitates simple words
• Says 2-3 words (they do not need to be clear)

By age 2 a child should:

• Enjoy stories
• Point to body parts when named
• Understand simple verbs such as “eat” or “sleep”
• Pronounces most vowels and attempts other sounds.
• Say 8-10 words clearly or unclearly
• Asks for common items or foods by name
• Makes animal sounds
• Starts to combine words such as “up please”
• Expresses possession such as saying, “mine”

The best way to help your child develop speech is to talk to them. Narrate everyday experiences and read to your child often. For example name objects at the grocery store, converse about your day, etc. Any words a child hears begin to expand his or her vocabulary and teach them words. Children learn though imitation.