Children should say their first words by age 1. If there is a delay, it should be evaluated.
STAGES OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:
0-3 MONTHS: - Crying sounds - Different crying tones - First smiles
3-6 MONTHS: - Don't tweet - Imitate sounds - Don't shout
6-9 MONTHS: - Monosyllabic sounds (ba, da, ma) - Returns to its own name - Waves
9-12 MONTHS: - First words (mom, dad, mama) - Indicates your desire - Understands simple commands
12-18 MONTHS: - 5-10 words - Communication with signs - Says what you want
18-24 MONTHS: - 50+ words - Two word sentences - Asks questions
24-36 MONTHS: - 200+ words - Three word sentences - Establishes proper sentences
SPEECH DELAY: - No words at 18 months - No two-word sentences at age 2 - Family history - More common in men
REASONS: - Hearing loss - Developmental delay - Autism spectrum - Environmental deficiency - Similar situation in the family
SUPPORT: - Talk a lot - Read a book - Sing a song - Limit television - Language therapy (if necessary)