Early Childhood Speech and Language Development - Penfield Building Blocks

Speech and Language Development

Your Child’s Developmental Milestones

Supporting Your Child’s Communication Journey

Speech and language are how your child connects with you and the world around them. From the first giggle or “mama” to full sentences, these skills are the foundation for learning, relationships, and self-expression. Let’s explore key speech and language development milestones and how you can support your child as they find their unique voice.

Early Childhood Speech and Language Milestones

Early childhood speech and language development centers around sounds, words, and non-verbal cues. Building speech and language skills early on helps your little one express their needs, emotions, and engage with others. These communication skills range from a baby looking at you or smiling when you say their name to a toddler stringing together full sentences.

While every child is different, there are some typical stages of speech and language development to watch. Understanding these key communication milestones can help you better understand your child’s needs and know when to ask for additional intervention and support. These skills generally go hand-in-hand with other areas of development, including cognitive skills, self-help skills, and gross motor skills, so it’s important to take a holistic approach to your child’s development.

Infant Language Development Milestones

Between 0-3 months

Alert to sounds
Turns toward people talking
Smiles when you talk
Babbles at you
Sounds differ when happy or upset

Between 7-9 months

Looks at you when you say their name
Will stop or slow when you say “no”
Recognizes loved ones and names
Will raise their arms and push things away
Makes a variety of different sounds

Between 4-6 months

Giggles, laughs, and squeals
Looks at and reacts to toys and other objects; will follow them with their eyes
Coos and vocalizes key vowel sounds
Blows “raspberries”

Between 10-12 months

Points and waves
Says simple words like “mama,” “dada,” or “bye bye”
Imitates gestures like peek-a-boo or kisses
Copies or repeats the sounds you make

Language Developmental Milestones In Toddlers

Between 12-18 months

Looks around when asked “where” questions
Follows simple, one-step directions
Points to objects or people when they need help or want to ask questions
Understands and tries to say words for common objects and people
Claps, high-fives, sticks out tongue, or makes silly faces

Between 19-24 months

Understands and uses about 50 different words (may not always be clear)
Strings together two or more words
Follows simple, two-step directions
Can identify at least two body parts and point to them
Uses gestures (waving, nodding, blowing kisses) without prompting

Between 2-3 years

Uses more complex word combinations and repeats them (“I want milk”)
Says their name when asked
Asks basic questions
Word pronunciations are more accurate and clear
Will identify and name things when you point
Uses possessives (mine, yours)
Uses -ing action verbs

Language Milestones for Preschoolers & Kindergarteners

Between 3-4 years

Says sentences with 4+ words

Can share what happened in their day (“I played outside”)
Asks and answers basic questions
Word pronunciations continue to be clearer and accurate
Can make comparisons (bigger, shorter, etc.)
Understands and uses location words (on, under, inside)
Can identify certain signs or logos

Between 4-5 years

Tells made-up stories with multiple events
Can answer simple questions about a book or movie after reading or watching it
Can recognize or use simple rhymes
Can hold a conversation with 3+ back-and-forth exchanges
Can write their own name
Can identify some letters
Sentences are longer and more grammatically correct

How You Can Support Speech and Language Development at Home

You don’t always need fancy flashcards or toys to help boost language and speech. Your child will develop a lot of their communication skills through daily interactions with you and their loved ones. Let’s explore some simple, fun ways to support speech and language development at home.

Narrate Your Day

Simply vocalize what you’re doing out loud throughout the day so your baby or toddler can follow along. This will help them start to make connections between specific words and actions. For example, “I’m brushing my teeth” or “Let’s zip up your coat.” If possible, find some time to talk about things they’re interested in, like their toys.

Read Together

Reading is one of the most important things you can do with your kid at all ages of early childhood development. Even a few minutes of reading a day will help your child learn new words and sounds. Reading picture books can also help them start to identify what different words are referring to.

Sing Songs

There’s a reason “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Old MacDonald” have stood the test of time. Rhymes and music are key to building listening and memory skills. Consider creating your own songs to help reinforce routines, learn new words, or help motivate your little one.

“The first few years of life are when a child’s brain develops the most! By providing early speech and language services, we are building a strong foundation for communication, skills for future learning and school success, as well as, strengthening the relationship between caregivers and peers.”

— Molly Weber, Speech-Language Pathologist at Penfield Children’s Center

Early Intervention Services

My Child Is Behind — Now What?

Every child is unique, and some children need a little extra help developing their communication skills. If you’re worried that your child is struggling with speech or may be delayed, it’s important to trust your instincts. You know your little one best, so it’s important to voice your concerns. Early intervention services can help your child find their voice and reach their full potential

Talk to Your Pediatrician

You are your child’s best advocate, so reach out if you have concerns. If you think your child is experiencing speech delays or struggling to communicate effectively, talk to your pediatrician. They may offer some suggestions and direct you to additional early intervention services or recommend a full evaluation.

Get a Referral & Evaluation

Your pediatrician may refer you to an early intervention specialist or team who can help build your child’s speech and language skills or address other developmental concerns. Speech therapists and other specialists may help evaluate your child across all areas of development beyond language.

Create a Plan

After evaluation, the specialists will work with you to create an ongoing intervention plan to improve speech and language skills and other key areas of development where your child may need assistance. This often consists of a collaborative approach with different therapy methods, at-home techniques, and working with your child’s caregivers or daycare teachers.

— Molly Weber

We're Here for You

Raising a child can feel overwhelming at times. But you’re not alone. We’re here to help you—step by step and word by word. Penfield Building Blocks can provide you and your family with trusted information, resources, and guidance during every stage of early childhood development.

Whether you’re just curious if your child is on track with their communication skills or you’re looking to start early intervention services, we are by your side.