Speech Sounds Acquired:

Early cooing and vowel sounds like "oo" and "ah."

Babbling with simple consonant-vowel combinations like "ba," "da," and "ma."

Language Milestones:

By 6 months, recognizes and responds to familiar voices, particularly their name.

Understands “no” by around 9 months and may respond with gestures.

Uses gestures like pointing or waving by 12 months to communicate needs and interests.

Speech Sounds Acquired:

Begins using /m/, /b/, /d/, and /n/ in early words like “mama” and “bye-bye.”

Language Milestones:

Uses single words consistently, often pairing them with gestures to communicate more effectively.

Follows simple instructions and responds to questions such as “Where’s the ball?”

Points to show interest in objects or to make requests.

Speech Sounds Acquired:

Develops sounds such as /p/ and /n/, expanding their vocabulary with simple words that include these sounds.

Language Milestones:

Begins combining two words (e.g., “want juice”) to express needs or ideas.

Recognizes and names familiar people, objects, or pictures when asked.

Understands and responds to more complex questions, such as “Where’s your toy?”

Speech Sounds Acquired:

Introduces sounds like /t/, /k/, /g/, /w/, and /h/, helping to make speech clearer.

Language Milestones:

Uses two- to three-word phrases like “my turn” or “more cookie.”

Can follow simple two-step instructions, such as “pick up your toy and give it to me.”

Asks basic questions, often beginning with “what” or “where.”

Speech Sounds Acquired:

Produces sounds such as /f/ and /s/, making speech intelligible to most listeners.

Language Milestones:

Forms sentences with four or more words and can share simple stories or events.

Asks more detailed questions, including “why” and “how.”

Understands basic concepts like colors, shapes, and size comparisons (e.g., big vs. little).

Speech Sounds Acquired:

Develops complex sounds like /ch/, /sh/, /j/, and can produce blends (e.g., “spoon,” “blue”).

Language Milestones:

Engages in more complex conversations, sharing thoughts and personal stories.

Understands sequencing terms (e.g., “first,” “next,” “last”) and can follow multi-step directions.

Uses language to discuss feelings and understands basic social cues in conversations.