Resources for Parents

Speech & Language Development Milestones

Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general milestones that help us understand whether a child's communication is on track. Use these milestones as a guide, not a rigid checklist.

Birth to 12 Months

• 0-3 months: Startles to loud sounds, coos and makes pleasure sounds, quiets or smiles when spoken to
• 4-6 months: Babbles with speech-like sounds (ba, da, ma), giggles and laughs, makes sounds to express joy or displeasure
• 7-9 months: Turns toward sounds, responds to name, understands "no," babbles longer strings of sounds
• 10-12 months: Says first words (mama, dada, bye-bye), follows simple directions with gestures, points to objects

12 to 24 Months

• 12-15 months: Uses 3-5 words consistently, follows simple commands, points to request objects
• 15-18 months: Uses 10-20 words, understands simple questions, identifies body parts when named
• 18-24 months: Uses 50+ words, starts combining two words ("more milk," "daddy go"), understands two-step directions

2 to 3 Years

• Vocabulary of 200-1,000 words
• Uses 2-3 word sentences consistently
• Familiar listeners understand about 50-75% of speech
• Asks simple questions ("What that?" "Where kitty?")
• Follows two-step directions without gestures
• Begins using pronouns (I, me, you)

3 to 5 Years

• Speaks in sentences of 4-5+ words
• Tells simple stories
• Familiar and unfamiliar listeners understand 75-100% of speech
• Asks and answers who, what, where, and why questions
• Most speech sounds are produced correctly by age 5, though some sounds like /r/, /s/, /l/, and /th/ may continue developing until age 7-8
• Follows multi-step directions

---

Feeding Milestones

Feeding skills develop alongside other motor and sensory skills. Here are general milestones to be aware of.

Birth to 6 Months

• Breast or bottle feeding is the primary source of nutrition
• Develops a coordinated suck-swallow-breathe pattern
• Begins to show readiness for solid foods around 4-6 months (sitting with support, showing interest in food, loss of tongue-thrust reflex)

6 to 12 Months

• Begins eating pureed foods, progresses to soft mashed textures
• Starts finger foods (soft, dissolvable pieces)
• Learns to drink from a cup with help
• Begins to self-feed with hands
• Tolerates a variety of flavors and textures

12 to 24 Months

• Eats a wide variety of table foods
• Begins using a spoon and fork (with some mess)
• Drinks independently from an open cup
• Chews food with a rotary chewing pattern
• Transitions off the bottle (by 12-15 months recommended)

2 to 3 Years

• Eats most family foods with minimal modifications
• Uses utensils with increasing skill
• Drinks from an open cup without spilling
• Sits at the table for meals with the family

---

When to Seek Help

If you notice any of the following, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, and an evaluation can provide clarity and peace of mind even if everything turns out to be within normal limits.

Speech & Language Red Flags

• No babbling by 12 months
• No words by 15 months
• No two-word combinations by 24 months
• Difficult to understand compared to peers
• Loss of previously acquired speech or language skills
• Frequent frustration when trying to communicate
• Difficulty following simple directions
• Speech not improving over time

Feeding Red Flags

• Coughing, choking, or gagging frequently during meals
• Refusing entire food groups or textures
• Eating fewer than 20 different foods
• Mealtime battles or extreme stress around eating
• Difficulty transitioning to age-appropriate textures
• Poor weight gain or growth concerns
• Extended feeding times (longer than 30 minutes regularly)

Trust your instincts. You know your child best. If something feels "off," an evaluation is always a good first step.

---

Tips for Supporting Your Child at Home

You do not need to be a therapist to help your child grow their communication and feeding skills. Here are everyday strategies that make a real difference.

Supporting Speech & Language

• Talk throughout your day. Narrate what you are doing: "I'm washing the dishes. The water is warm. Now I'm drying the plate."
• Read together daily. Point to pictures, ask questions, and let your child turn pages. Reading is one of the best things you can do for language development.
• Follow your child's lead. Talk about what they are interested in. If they are playing with cars, describe the colors, sounds, and actions.
• Expand their language. If your child says "truck," you can say "Yes, a big red truck! The truck is driving fast."
• Give wait time. After you ask a question, pause and wait at least 5 seconds. Children need extra time to process and respond.
• Avoid quizzing. Instead of asking "What's this?" all the time, model the language: "Look, it's a dog! The dog is running."
• Limit screen time. Real conversation and interactive play build communication skills far better than passive screen time.

Supporting Feeding Skills

• Eat together as a family. Children learn by watching others eat. Make mealtimes social and relaxed.
• Offer variety without pressure. Put new foods on the plate alongside familiar favorites. Let your child explore at their own pace.
• Keep mealtimes positive. Avoid bribing, forcing, or punishing around food. Pressure backfires and increases anxiety.
• Let them get messy. Touching, smelling, and playing with food is part of learning to eat. It is okay if things get messy.
• Model adventurous eating. Let your child see you trying and enjoying a variety of foods.
• Establish a routine. Consistent meal and snack times help children develop healthy hunger and fullness cues.