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Preschool Speech and Language

Development – Birth to 5 Years
Getting Help
Babies learn to talk by listening to voices and sounds – and babies develop at
different rates. It is often hard to detect if your infant or toddler has a speech
or language problem. Trust your instincts. If you suspect a problem, talk to a
Registered Speech-Language Pathologist. Even children under the age of two If you suspect a problem, consult
can be helped with speech and language development. Untreated speech and a Registered Speech-Language
language difficulties can affect behavior, social interaction and future academic Pathologist (R.SLP). No referral is
success. Early detection is vital! necessary. To find a practitioner:
• Contact HEALTHLink Alberta -
Health Advice 24/7 at 8-1-1
Milestones and Warning Signs for Speech and or visit: www.MyHealth.Alberta.ca
Language Development • Inquire at a Public Health Centre
First 3 months of life: • Find a private practice
speech-language pathologist by
checking your local Yellow Pages
Milestones Warning Signs
listing under Speech Therapy or
• Becomes startled at loud noises • Your baby does not react to Speech-Language Pathology, or
sound. by visiting the Alberta Speech-
• Is soothed by calm, gentle voices
Language Association of Private
• Likes to cuddle and enjoys being held Practitioners (ASAPP) website at
• Cries, gurgles, grunts, says “ah” www.asapp.ca.

• Sucks and swallows well

Ages 4 months to 6 months:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Watches your face with interest when • Your baby does not
you talk respond to your smiles and
• Tries to “talk” with you by cooing or interactions.
babbling
• Enjoys “talking” with you and smiles
at you
• Coos and squeals for attention
• Has a special cry when hungry

#209, 3132 Parsons Road, Fax: 780.408.3925

Edmonton, AB T6N 1L6 headoffice@acslpa.ab.ca

Ph: 780.944.1609 1.800.537.0589 www.acslpa.ab.ca 1

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Ages 6 months to 1st birthday:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Understands some common words when used with • Your child does not babble or try to talk.
gestures, such as their name, “bye-bye”, “up” and • Your child has stopped babbling.
“give me”
• Your child has had several ear infections.
• Copies gestures such as waving bye-bye
• Copies different speech sounds, such as “oh oh”
and “wheee”
• Babbles using a variety of different sounds, such as
“bababa dididi upup bupbupbup”

Ages 1 to 18 months:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Understands simple questions/statements such as • Your child does not talk at all.
“Where is your nose?” and “Give me” • Your child does not interact with others.
• Nods “yes” and shakes head for “no”
• Points to show interest in something or to ask for
something
• Takes part in imaginative play, such as pretending to
go to sleep or putting toy phone to ear
• Babbles using a variety of sounds which, when put
together, sound like real sentences
• Says a few words, although they are not clear

Ages 18 months to 2nd birthday:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Understands simple questions, such as “Where is • Your child does not talk or uses more gestures
mommy/daddy?” and “Where is your shoe?” than words.
• Understands simple directions such as “Get your • Your child does not appear to understand
blanket” simple directions.
• Understand more words than can say
• Asks for a cookie or a toy
• Says some two-word sentences, such as “more juice,”
“no night-night,” “daddy car”
• Says “whatssat” a lot at about age two

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Ages 2 to 3rd birthday:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Answers simple question, such as “What’s your • Your child shows frustration when trying to talk.
name?” and “Which one is the big doll?” • Your child’s speech is difficult for you to understand.
• Follows simple directions, such as “Put the teddy • Your child does not yet put two words together.
bear to bed”
• Your child stutters.
• Puts a toy “in”, “on”, and “under” when asked
• Has a word for almost everything
• Uses two- to three-word “sentences” to talk about
and ask for things, such as “That my truck”, “Puppy
eat cookie”, “Doggy kiss me”

Ages 3 to 4th birthday:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Understands questions about a picture story such as • Your child’s speech is difficult for strangers to
“Where did the bunny go?” understand.
• Follows two related directions such as “Close the • Your child has difficulty playing imaginary games
book and give it to me” with others.
• Gives directions such as “Fix this for me” • Your child stutters.
• Uses a lot of sentences that have four or more words
• Ask many questions, such as “what”, “where”
and “why”

Ages 4 to 5th birthday:

Milestones Warning Signs

• Follows three related directions, such as “Get your • Your child does not use complete and grammatically
crayons, make a picture and put it on the counter” correct sentences.
• Understands concepts such as “top,” “bottom,” • Your child stutters.
“beside,”, and “behind” • Your child does not seem to be able to
• Tells stories and shares ideas about things that follow directions.
happened recently
• Explains meanings of words when asked
• Says most sounds correctly except for a few,
like l, r, th, ch, sh

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Early detection of difficulties at any age can make learning to talk easier. If your child shows any of the warning signs
listed for his or her age group, contact a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist.

Talking Tips
• Ensure face to face communication when your child is talking.
• Describe what your child is doing, feeling, and learning.
• Share books with your child.
• Recite nursery rhymes and sing songs.
• Use words and sentences that match your child’s level.
• Talk to your child during routines (e.g., mealtimes, bathing, dressing).
• Talk simply and clearly.
• Repeat words frequently.
• Seek out opportunities for your child to interact with other children his/her age.

April 2014