Use this chart for parent education, developmental screening, and referral decision-making. Always consider the full range of typical development — children develop at different rates.
Receptive Language
| Age | Milestone |
|---|
| 0–3 months | Startles to sound; quiets to familiar voice |
| 4–6 months | Turns toward sound; responds to changes in tone |
| 7–12 months | Responds to name; understands "no"; follows simple gestures |
| 12–18 months | Follows 1-step directions; points to familiar objects/people |
| 18–24 months | Follows 2-step directions; identifies body parts; understands ~300 words |
| 2–3 years | Understands concepts (big/little, in/on); follows 2–3 step directions |
| 3–4 years | Understands "why" questions; follows 3-step directions; understands most sentences |
| 4–5 years | Understands spatial concepts; follows complex directions; understands stories |
Expressive Language
| Age | Milestone |
|---|
| 0–3 months | Coos; cries differentially |
| 4–6 months | Babbles (ba, ma, da); laughs; vocalizes pleasure/displeasure |
| 7–12 months | Varied babbling; uses gestures; first words emerging (~12 months) |
| 12–18 months | 5–20 words; uses words + gestures; jargon with intent |
| 18–24 months | 50+ words; 2-word combinations; 50% intelligible to strangers |
| 2–3 years | 200–300 words; 3-word sentences; 75% intelligible; asks simple questions |
| 3–4 years | 4–5 word sentences; tells simple stories; 75–100% intelligible |
| 4–5 years | Complex sentences; narrative skills; nearly 100% intelligible |
Speech Sound Development
| Age Acquired | Sounds (90% of children) |
|---|
| By age 3 | p, b, m, n, h, w, d, t, k, g, f, y |
| By age 4 | All above + ng, s (emerging) |
| By age 5 | All above + s, z, l, sh, ch, j |
| By age 6–7 | r, th (voiced/voiceless), v, zh |
Red Flags — Consider Referral
- No babbling by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No 2-word phrases by 24 months
- Any loss of previously acquired language or social skills at any age
- Less than 50% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners by age 2
- Less than 75% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners by age 3
- Difficulty following directions appropriate for age
Source: Based on ASHA developmental norms and published research. This chart is for educational purposes only and does not replace a formal evaluation by a licensed SLP.