Communication Milestones
Children develop communication skills in many different ways and at different speeds. Some children talk early. Others take more time and rely on gestures, sounds, or other ways to communicate while language grows.
The examples below describe skills many children begin doing at different ages. They are meant to give families a general picture of development, not a checklist every child must follow.
If your child’s communication looks different, that may simply be part of their own developmental path. If you ever feel unsure, a conversation with a speech-language pathologist can help you better understand your child’s strengths and how to support their communication.
Early Intervention (Birth-3 Years)
During the first 3 years, children are learning how to connect with others, understand language, and share their wants and needs.
Communication may include sounds, words, signs, facial expressions, and play.
1-12 Months
Makes contact eye contact and smile during interactions
Turns toward voices or familiar sounds
Babbles and experiments with sounds like “ba”, “ma”, and “da”
Use gestures like reaching, lifting arms, or showing toys
Begins to respond to name
Enjoys simple social games such as “peek-a-boo”
When to call us…
Baby rarely responds to voices or sounds
Babbling has not started by 10 months
Eye contact or shared smiles are very limited
Baby does not seem interested in interacting with others
12-24 Months
Says first words
Uses gestures like pointing, waving, or showing objects
Follows simple directions like “come here” or “give it to me”
Understands familiar words during daily routines
Uses about 50 or more words by 18 months
Starts combining ideas using words, gestures, or both
When to call us…
Child is not yet using words, signs, or gestures to communicate
Uses very few words at 18 months
Following simple directions is difficult
Speech sounds are very limited (e.g., using mostly vowels instead of consonant sounds)
24-36 Months
Uses short phrases or simple sentences
Easier for familiar adults to understand
Asks simple questions
Enjoys turn-taking games and pretend play
Follows simple directions and understands everyday language
When to call us…
Speech is very hard for familiar adults to understand
Child is not yet combining words
Play stays very repetitive or solitary
Communication feels frustrating for the child or family
Preschool (3-5 Years)
During the preschool years, children’s communication grows quickly. They begin to use longer sentences, asking more questions, and sharing their ideas with others.
Language becomes an important part of play, friendships, and learning new skills.
3-4 Years
Speaks in longer sentences
Understood by familiar listeners most of the time
Asks many questions
Talks about things that happened earlier in the day
Follows 2-step directions
Begins cooperative play with other children
Uses pretend play with toys and imagination
When to call us…
Speech is often difficult for others to understand
Sentences stay very short
Following directions is very challenging
Play stays repetitive or mostly solitary
Stuttering or speech disruptions appear frequently
4-5 Years
Uses longer and more detailed sentences
Understood by everyone
Tells simple stories about experiences
Follows Directions with several steps
Begins to hold conversations with adults and peers (e.g., asks and answers questions)
When to call us…
Speech is still difficult for all listeners to understand
Telling stories or explaining ideas is very challenging
Understanding directions or questions is difficult
Stuttering continues or causes frustration
School-Aged (5+ Years)
As children enter school, communication supports learning, social relationships, and independence.
Language becomes more complex, helping children explain ideas, tell stories, ask questions, and understand new information in the classroom and everyday life.
5-7 Years
Speech is clear and easy to understand
Tells stories with a beginning, middle, and end
Understands and follows directions
Participates in conversations with adults and peers
Uses language to explain ideas and share information
When to call us…
Speech sound errors continue
Understanding directions or questions is difficult
Organizing thoughts or explaining ideas is challenging
Reading or early literacy skills are difficult
Stuttering affects participation or confidence
8+ Years
Uses language to explain opinions, ideas, and experiences
Understands more complex directions and information
Participates in longer conversations
Tells detailed stories and explanations
Uses language for learning, problem-solving, and social interactions
When to call us…
Explaining ideas or telling stories is difficult
Understanding classroom language is challenging
Reading, writing, or spelling struggles persist
Social communication or conversation are difficult
Stuttering continues to affect communcation
Not sure where to start?
Every child’s needs are different. Our team is here to help you determine the best next step for your family.