Development of Language Skills

This is a pediatric board favorite, and for good cause. Language development is a better gauge of cognitive function than gross motor development. Mental retardation can be diagnosed earlier if language development is followed closely.

It is important to note that much of the first year of life is devoted to physical growth and the development of gross motor skills. Fine motor, language, and social skills are the focus after the first year of life.

Let's review the basic tenets of language development. And let's find a way to make them easier to committ to memory.



02 months - start to make some vocalizations.

06 months - babbles, nonsensical gibberish

09 months - "mama" and "dada" but not necessarily towards the parents, or even towards people. (nonspecific)

12 months - "mama" and "dada" become specific (just towards the parents). Must speak one additional word by age 1 year.

15 months - Speak 3-6 additional words, besides "mama" and "dada". Let's say the infant should be adding one word per month to their language starting at age one year.

18 months - Speak 10-20 words. Parents often think their infant speaks more words, but those words are usually only understood by the parents - eg. "beba" means "bottle".

24 months - At 2 years old, speach is 2/4 (50%) understandable by strangers. Also, should be using 2-word sentences. The two year old starts using pronouns like "I" and "me". Remember how the typical 2 year old is known to try to become independent, hence the "terrible twos". Here's a typical sentence - "carry me".

36 months - At 3 years old, the speech should be 3/4 (75%) intelligible. Now the three year old starts to become inquisitive by using "what" and "who". Should be using 3-word sentences. "I need potty."

48 months - Now speech should be 100% intelligible (4/4). Starts to ask the "why" question repeatedly. Should be using complex sentences, "can I have a bike?"

Of course, there are other parts to langauge development, but these are the ones that are board favorites.