10.2: Communication and Language Milestones

Milestones

Definition: Milestones

Represent the developmental abilities most children (75% or more) can do by specific ages

Infants and toddlers are constantly learning about the world as they experience it and actively engage with it during the first three years of life. Milestones represent what most children (75% or more) can do by specific ages. Figure# represents the new and improved milestone charts provided by the CDC in 2022 with substantial evidence-based updates. These milestone charts are meant to prompt surveillance and conversation and, if needed, identification and early intervention. The CDC adopts a proactive stance—we should take action early when developmental concerns arise rather than the perspective of waiting to see if a child “catches up”. While children do develop at individual paces, being proactive during these critical early years is essential (Morgan et al., 2021; Noritz et al., 2013). The chart below lists milestones that, if children are not achieving by specific ages, caregivers should encourage parents to communicate with their family’s pediatrician. Most caregivers are not professionally trained to officially assess the developmental abilities of children; however, caregivers have the ability to track developmental progress and are often the first to notice developmental concerns. Here is a table of communication and language milestones for infants and toddlers.

2022 Communication and Language Milestones

Age	What Most Children Can Do By Each Age
2 months	Make sounds other than crying React to loud sounds
4 months	Make sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing) Make sounds back when you talk to them Turn their head towards the sound of your voice
6 months	Take turns making sounds with you Blow “raspberries” (stick their tongue out and blow) Make squealing noises
9 months	Make a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa” Lifts arms up to be picked up)
12 months	Wave “bye-bye” Call a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name Understand “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
15 months	Try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog Look at a familiar object when you name it Follow directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, they give you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.” Point to ask for something or to get help
18 months	Try to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada” Follow one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
24 months	Point to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?” Say at least two words together, like “More milk.” Point to at least two body parts when you ask them to show you Use more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
30 months	Say about 50 words Say two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run” Name things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?” Say words like “I,” “me,” or “we”
36 months	Talk with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges Ask “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?” Say what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing” Say their first name, when asked Talk well enough for others to understand them, most of the time

Attributions

• ^[1] CDC’s Developmental Milestones by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in the public domain.