From 12-18 months, your child:

• Shows you objects when you name them
• Shows you a few simple body parts - like nose, tummy, foot
• Says from 5-10 “real” words, although they may not be clear
• Says words like “more”, “mine”, “bye”
• Says many sounds together in a “sentence” that you may not understand
• Repeats words and actions of other people
• May not speak clearly
• Shows you he/she doesn’t want something by saying “no”, shaking his/her head, moving away, or frowning
• Makes sounds and points to objects that he/she wants
• Plays alone or watches other people play

• Show new objects and toys to your child – talk about what you and your child are doing - use short sentences
• Play with your child using the toys he/she likes
• Read lots of books together, but don’t worry about reading all the words - talk about what your child is interested in
• Pay attention to what your child is saying instead of how he/she is saying it - his/her speech won’t be clear yet
• Don’t just get what your child wants; wait for your child to ask
• If your child doesn’t say a word properly, repeat it the right way without correcting him
• Don’t use “baby-talk” - use real words
• Use words to label objects, actions and describe how things look, feel, taste and sound

18 to 24 months

From 18 to 24 months, your child:

• Understands simple directions like “drink your milk”
• Can show you body parts on himself/herself
• Says names of things, actions, people’s names
• Starts to use two words together (more milk, car go) and by age 2 can say at least 50 words
• Asks “what’s that?” (may sound like whadat or whatssat)
• Speaks so that you can understand most words
• Listens to stories with pictures
• Carries on a “conversation” with himself/herself and dolls, animals or other toys

• Be a good speech model-use correct words and phrases without correcting your child directly
• Talk about new words such as “on”, “under”, “open”, “broken”
• Read lots of books together - let your child choose books that he/she likes
• Play children’s music and stories and listen with your child
• Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes together
• Praise your child’s efforts to communicate
• Talk about new places and experiences before you go, while you are there, and when you get home
• Expand what your child says - if your child says “dog”, you say “big dog”

Adapted from smallTALK
www.smalltalkinfo.ca

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Tags: Milestones, Reading, Literacy, Look Fors