Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones give doctors, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and so many other professional a time frame to compare every child’s development. For speech and language milestones, we focus on when a child babbles, says their first word, and other aspects that lead to the child producing speech and language. The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) produced a really great set of charts that I love to use when looking at a child’s developmental milestones. I am attaching the milestones for birth- 1 year old, but if you want to see other ages visit their website : http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart.htm.

Hearing and Understanding	Talking
Birth-3 Months Startles to loud sounds Quiets or smiles when spoken to Seems to recognize your voice and quiets if crying Increases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound	Birth-3 Months Makes pleasure sounds (cooing, gooing) Cries differently for different needs Smiles when sees you
4-6 Months Moves eyes in direction of sounds Responds to changes in tone of your voice Notices toys that make sounds Pays attention to music	4-6 Months Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, b and m Chuckles and laughs Vocalizes excitement and displeasure Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you
7 Months-1 Year Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake Turns and looks in direction of sounds Listens when spoken to Recognizes words for common items like “cup”, “shoe”, “book”, or “juice” Begins to respond to requests (e.g. “Come here” or “Want more?”)	7 Months-1 Year Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tata upup bibibibi” Uses speech or noncrying sounds to get and keep attention Uses gestures to communication (waving, holding arms to be picked up) Imitates different speech sounds Has one or two words (hi, dog,dada, mama) around first birthday, although sounds may not be clear

Hearing and Understanding

Talking

Birth-3 Months

Startles to loud sounds
Quiets or smiles when spoken to
Seems to recognize your voice and quiets if crying
Increases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound

Birth-3 Months

Makes pleasure sounds (cooing, gooing)
Cries differently for different needs
Smiles when sees you

4-6 Months

Moves eyes in direction of sounds
Responds to changes in tone of your voice
Notices toys that make sounds
Pays attention to music

4-6 Months

Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, b and m
Chuckles and laughs
Vocalizes excitement and displeasure
Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you

7 Months-1 Year

Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Turns and looks in direction of sounds
Listens when spoken to
Recognizes words for common items like “cup”, “shoe”, “book”, or “juice”
Begins to respond to requests (e.g. “Come here” or “Want more?”)

7 Months-1 Year

Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tata upup bibibibi”
Uses speech or noncrying sounds to get and keep attention
Uses gestures to communication (waving, holding arms to be picked up)
Imitates different speech sounds
Has one or two words (hi, dog,dada, mama) around first birthday, although sounds may not be clear

Just remember that if your child doesn’t do something the day they turn a certain age, that doesn’t guarantee that something is wrong! If you are worried always consult with a professional!

-Stephanie