Speech and Language Developmental Milestones

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Speech and Language Developmental Milestones

On this page:

What are speech and language?

How do speech and language normally develop?

What are speech and language developmental milestones?

How do I know if my child is reaching the milestones?

What should I do if my child's speech or language appears to be

delayed?

What research is being conducted on developmental speech and language

problems?

Where can I get additional information?

What are speech and language?

Speech and language are tools that humans use to communicate or share

thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Language is the set of rules, shared

by the individuals who are communicating, that allows them to

exchange those thoughts, ideas, or emotions. Speech is talking, one

way that a language can be expressed. Language may also be expressed

through writing, signing, or even gestures in the case of people who

have neurological disorders and may depend upon eye blinks or mouth

movements to communicate.

While there are many languages in the world, each includes its own

set of rules for phonology (phonemes or speech sounds or, in the case

of signed language, handshapes), morphology (word formation), syntax

(sentence formation), semantics (word and sentence meaning), prosody

(intonation and rhythm of speech), and pragmatics (effective use of

language).

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How do speech and language normally develop?

The most intensive period of speech and language development for

humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the

brain is developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best

in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure

to the speech and language of others.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are " critical

periods " for speech and language development in infants and young

children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb

a language, any language, during this period. The ability to learn a

language will be more difficult, and perhaps less efficient or

effective, if these critical periods are allowed to pass without

early exposure to a language. The beginning signs of communication

occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a

cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship. The newborn also

begins to recognize important sounds in his or her environment. The

sound of a parent or voice can be one important sound. As they grow,

infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building

blocks that compose the words of their language. Research has shown

that by six months of age, most children recognize the basic sounds

of their native language.

As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice mature, an

infant is able to make controlled sound. This begins in the first few

months of life with " cooing, " a quiet, pleasant, repetitive

vocalization. By six months of age, an infant usually babbles or

produces repetitive syllables such as " ba, ba, ba " or " da, da, da. "

Babbling soon turns into a type of nonsense speech (jargon) that

often has the tone and cadence of human speech but does not contain

real words. By the end of their first year, most children have

mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most

likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn

the power of those words as others respond to them.

By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words.

By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such

as " more milk. " During this period, children rapidly learn that words

symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age

they also engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three,

four, and five, a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she

begins to master the rules of language.

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What are speech and language developmental milestones?

Children vary in their development of speech and language. There is,

however, a natural progression or " timetable " for mastery of these

skills for each language. The milestones are identifiable skills that

can serve as a guide to normal development. Typically, simple skills

need to be reached before the more complex skills can be learned.

There is a general age and time when most children pass through these

periods. These milestones help doctors and other health professionals

determine when a child may need extra help to learn to speak or to

use language.

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How do I know if my child is reaching the milestones?

The following links will send you to a checklist that can determine

if your child's speech and language skills are developing on

schedule. Choose the appropriate age bracket for your child. You

should talk to your child's doctor about anything that is

checked " no. "

Interactive Checklist:

Birth to 5 months

6 - 11 months

12 - 17 months

18 - 23 months

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5 years

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What should I do if my child's speech or language appears to be

delayed?

You should talk to your family doctor if you have any concerns about

your child's speech or language development. The above checklist

should help you talk about your concerns. Your doctor may decide to

refer you to a speech-language pathologist, a health professional

trained to evaluate and treat people who have speech, language, voice

or swallowing disorders (including hearing impairment) that affect

their ability to communicate. The speech-language pathologist will

talk to you about your child's communication and general development.

He or she will also evaluate your child with special speech and

language tests. A hearing test is often included in the evaluation

because a hearing problem can affect speech and language development.

Depending upon the test results, the speech-language pathologist may

suggest activities for home to stimulate speech and language

development. These activities may include reading to your child

regularly; speaking in short sentences using simple words so that

your child can successfully imitate you; or repeating what your child

says, using correct grammar or pronunciation. For example, if your

child says, " Ball baybo " you can respond with, " Yes, the ball is

under the table. " This allows you to demonstrate more accurate speech

and language without actually " correcting " your child which can

eventually make speaking unpleasant for him or her.

The speech-language pathologist may also recommend group or

individual therapy or suggest further evaluation by other health

professionals such as an audiologist, a health care professional who

is trained to identify and measure hearing loss, or a developmental

psychologist.

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What research is being conducted on developmental speech and language

problems?

Scientists are examining a variety of issues related to speech and

language development. Brain imaging studies are defining the

relationship between exposure to speech and language, brain

development, and communication skills. Genetic studies are

investigating the likelihood that at least some speech and language

problems may be inherited or passed down from parents to their

children. Additional studies are characterizing inherited

communication disorders. The effect of frequent ear infections on the

development of speech and language is also an area of investigation.

Other scientists are distinguishing types of speech and language

errors to determine which ones may be overcome by maturation alone

and which will need some type of intervention or therapy. Another

area of study is the effect of speech and language development on

later school performance. Further research is characterizing dialects

that belong to certain ethnic or regional groups. This knowledge will

help professionals distinguish a language difference or dialect

(which should be preserved to help an individual identify with a

group) from a language disorder, which may require treatment.

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Where can I get more information?

NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that can answer

questions and provide printed or electronic information on

developmental milestones. Please see the list of organizations at

www.nidcd.nih.gov/directory.

Use the following keywords to help you search for organizations that

are relevant to developmental milestones:

Speech-language pathologists

Auditory-oral communication

Early identification of deafness in children

For more information, additional addresses and phone numbers, or a

printed list of organizations, contact:

NIDCD Information Clearinghouse

1 Communication Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20892-3456

Toll-free Voice: (800) 241-1044

Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055

Fax: (301) 770-8977

E-mail: nidcdinfo@...

NIH Publication No. 00-4781

April 2000