Milestones

* Looks attentively     * Gives a toy when asked

* Understands “no”    * Identifies up to 5 body parts

* Waves goodbye       * Brings objects from another room when asked

* Nods “yes” and shakes head for “no”

* Understands more words than can say/speak

* Understands “where is mommy?”

* Enjoys listening to stories

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* Makes sounds of familiar animals, e.g. says ”meow” and points to a cat

* Asks for food or toys e.g. “mum-mum” for milk, or “car-car” for toy car

* Uses words more frequently than jargon

* Uses words like “more” to make wants known

* Uses 10 to 20 words including names

* Answers ‘what’s that’ questions

* Accurately names a few familiar objects

* Begins to use words like “I”, “me” and “you”

* Starts to combine nouns and verbs like “ car-go”, “boy-eat”

* Combines two words such as “daddy bye-bye”, “all-finish”, “no-more”

Warning Signs

* Does your child not talk at all?

* Is your child unwilling to be sociable?

* Does your child use more gestures than words?

* Are you concerned that your child is unable to talk and or understand?

Activities to Encourage your Child’s Speech and Language

* Listen to children’s songs and tapes together with your child

* Talk in simple short sentences and speak slowly and clearly

* Reward and encourage early efforts at saying new words

* Praise your child’s efforts to communicate

* Talk to your child about everything you’re doing while you’re with him

* Describe what your child is doing, feeling, hearing, seeing.

* Talk about new situations before you go, while you’re there and again when you’re at home

* Look at your child when he or she talks to you

* Play the “where” game with child. While having dinner, ask questions like “where is your spoon?”

* Ask your child frequently “what is that?” if he doesn’t know, tell him and then ask him again, “what is that?” until he gets it correct