Pediatric Speech and Language Milestones by Easy Med Channel

Introduction

Trick: 3-letter word "Coo"
Milestones:
- Makes cooing sounds
- Smiles at people, makes eye contact
- Recognizes voice, may stay quiet or smile when spoken to
- Different cries for different needs (hunger vs. tired)
- Vocalizes pleasure (giggles) and displeasure (cries)
Note: Milestones can occur earlier or later

Trick: 6-letter word "Babble"
Milestones:
- Babbles, may say "mama" or "dada" without meaning
- Laughs, giggles, makes gurgling noises
- Uses voice to express pleasure and displeasure
- Moves eyes towards sounds, responds to tone changes, pays attention to music

Trick: 9-letter word "Imitation"
Milestones:
- Imitates speech and non-speech sounds, actions, and gestures
- Points to objects, shows them to others
- Recognizes own name, looks at familiar objects when mentioned
- Strings longer babbling sounds together

Trick: Takes 1 and 2 from 12 to remember "1 to 2 words"
Milestones:
- Says 1-2 words (e.g., "mama" and "dada" gain meaning)
- Understanding phase:
  - Understands 3-50 words
  - Begins to understand simple phrases, instructions, requests, and commands
  - Non-verbal answers to simple questions (nodding, fetching objects)
  - Recognizes names/words for common items (ball, shoe, cup)
Development: Continues throughout the second year of life

Trick: 18 words
Milestones:
- Vocabulary of 10-20 words, may rapidly increase to 50+ words
- Repeats words heard in conversation
- Points to familiar objects, people in pictures, body parts
- Follows simple commands, understands simple questions ("Where's your cup?")

Trick: 2-word phrases
Milestones:
- Uses 2-word phrases to talk or ask for things ("more milk," "no juice")
- Asks 2-word questions ("Where's doggy?")
- Follows 2-step directions ("Pick up your toy and give it to mommy")
- Vocabulary of 50+ words
- Parents/caregivers understand at least half of speech
- Uses gestures and words during pretend play, makes animal sounds

Trick: 3-word phrases
Milestones:
- Uses 3-word phrases to talk or ask for things
- Vocabulary of 200+ words
- Improved grammar and pronunciation with clearer speech
- Asks "what" and "where" questions
- Understands spatial concepts (in, on, under) and concepts of colors and time
- Uses more pronouns and plurals

Trick: 4 or more word sentences
Milestones:
- Uses sentences with at least 4 words, four or more sentences when talking
- Understands abstract concepts and asks "how" and "why" questions
- Expresses ideas and feelings
- Talks about daily activities and events
- Parents/caregivers and strangers understand most of speech
- Identifies colors, groups objects into categories (food, clothes)