Speech and Language Milestones

Age 2

• Put two words together (“more milk,” “mommy go”)

• Point to pictures in books

• Point to body parts (eyes, nose, feet, belly)

• Follow simple 1-step directions

• Use around 50 or more words, though speech may be hard to understand
  Speech sounds often starting: H, P, B, M, N, D, W

Age 3

• Use 2–3 word sentences

• Respond to their name and simple questions

• Have words for most everyday things

• Ask “why” questions

• Understand simple opposites (big/little, up/down)

• Follow two-step directions with help
  Speech sounds emerging: T, K, G, F, Y, “ng”

Age 4

• Answer simple who/what/where questions

• Use 4+ word sentences

• Talk about their day or retell simple stories

• Use pronouns like he/she/they correctly

• Know colors, categories, and basic concepts
  Speech sounds developing: SH, CH, L, S, Z, DZ

Age 5

• Follow 2–3 step directions

• Listen to and understand longer stories

• Use detailed sentences with describing words

• Answer more complex questions about stories

• Understand time words like yesterday/tomorrow
  Speech sounds still developing: R, TH (the), ZH (as in “measure”)

Age 6

• Use adult-like grammar most of the time

• Rhyme, identify beginning sounds, and name many letters

• Use longer, more complex sentences (“I did this because…”)

• Hold back-and-forth conversations and stay on topic

• Follow multi-step, school-style directions
  Speech sounds expected: TH (thumb)
  (R may still be developing but should be much clearer.)