Know the facts

Birth - 3 Months

• Startled by loud sounds.
• Soothed by caretakers' voices.

3 - 6 Months

• Reacts to the sound of your voice.
• Turns eyes and head in the direction of the source of sounds.
• Enjoys rattles and noisy toys.

7 - 10 Months

• Responds to his/her own name.
• Understands "mama," "dada," "no," "bye bye" and other common words.
• Turns head toward familiar sounds, even when he/she cannot see what is happening: eg. telephone, person's voice, dog barking or paper rustling, familiar footsteps.

11 - 15 Months

• Locates or points to familiar objects when asked.
• Imitates and matches sounds with own speech production (though frequently unintelligible), especially in response to human voices or loud noises.
• Understands words by making appropriate responses or behaviour: "Where's the dog?"  "Find the truck."

15 - 18 Months

• Identifies things in response to questions, such as parts of the body.
• Uses a few single words; while not complete or perfectly pronounced, the words should be clearly meaningful.
• Follows simple spoken directions.

2 Years - Vocabulary approximately 270 words.

• Understands yes/no questions.
• Uses everyday words heard at home or at daycare/school.
• Enjoys being read to and shown pictures in books; points out pictures upon request.
• Interested in radio/television as shown by word or action.
• Puts words together to make simple sentences, although they are not complete or grammatically correct: "Juice all gone"  "Go bye-bye car".
• Follows simple commands without visual clues from the speaker: "Bring me that ball." "Get your book and give it to Daddy."
• Says or sings short rhymes and songs; enjoys music.
• Investigates noises or tells others when interesting sounds are heard: Car door slamming, telephone ringing.

3 Years - Vocabulary approximately 1,000 words.

• Understands and uses simple verbs, pronouns and adjectives: Go, come, run, sing, me, you, him, her, big, green, sweet.
• Locates the source of a sound automatically.
• Often uses complete sentences.