Language Development milestones in prelinguistic children

Question 1

In terms of talking, what should a child from birth to 3 months do?

Answer 1

make coo sounds, cry, and smile at people

Question 2

What is a child’s language at 4-6 months?

Answer 2

coo and babble when playing with you; giggle and laugh; makes sounds when happy or upset; make speech-like babbling sounds like “pa”, “ba”, and “mi”

Question 3

What is a child’s language at 7 mo - 1 year?

Answer 3

babbles long strings of sounds, such as mimiupupbabababa; use sounds and gestures to get attention; points to objects and shows them to others; copies different speech sounds; says 1 or 2 words like “hi”, “dog”, “dada”, and “mama”

Question 4

What does a baby hear and understand at birth to 3 months old?

Answer 4

startle at loud sounds; quiets or smiles when you talk; seem to recognize your voice but quiets when crying

Question 5

What does a baby hear and understand at 4-6 months old?

Answer 5

Recognize when a toy makes a sound; their eyes follow the direction of where a sound is coming from; respond to changes in tone of voice; pay atention to music

Question 6

What does a baby hear and understand at 7 mo to a year?

Answer 6

Turns and looks at where a sound is coming from; when you point, they look; turn when you call their name; understand words for common items and people (cup, juice, and daddy); start to respond to simple words and phrases; plays games with you such as peek a boo; listen to songs and stories for a short time.