Understanding language
0-6 months
Within this age bracket, babies will begin to respond to familiar voices. They will develop an awareness for changes in tone of voice, as well as responding to simple language such as "no".
7-12 months
Within this age bracket, babies begin to respond to their name by turning to look. They will begin to understand the names for common objects and people, such as 'mummy', 'daddy', 'doggy' and 'drink'.
1-2 years
Within this age bracket, children will begin to identify common body parts, such as 'eyes', 'ear's and 'nose', alongside understanding simple context bound 'who' and 'where' questions, such as 'who goes moo, moo?', and 'where's the doggy?'.
2-3 years
Between the ages of 2-3 years, children will begin to understand 2 step commands, such as get your pyjamas and go to your bedroom'. Children will begin to understand opposites such as 'on'/'off', 'hot'/ 'cold', alongside prepositions such as 'in' and 'on'. Children will also begin to understand pronouns such as 'me' and 'you'.
3-4 years
Between the ages of 3-4 years, children will begin to identify colours, group objects by categories (e.g. clothes, food, animals), and understand 'who', 'where' and 'what' questions that are outside of the here and now, such as 'who did you play with today?'.
4-5 years
Within this age bracket, children are able to answer simple questions about themselves, such as 'what you're favourite colour?'. Children will also begin to understand and answer 'why' and 'how' questions.
Understanding and spoken language milestones
Spoken language
Birth
Newborn babies will make noises which indicate pleasure or pain.
4-6 months
Babies will begin to babble within this age bracket and make noises such as 'b', 'p', 'w' and 'm'.
7-12 months
At this age you can expect your baby's first words to emerge. This can include 'mama', 'dada', no', 'doggie'.
1-2 years
Your child will begin to combine 2 words together, such as 'more juice', 'doggie go'. Children within this age bracket may also begin to ask simple questions, such as 'what's that?', 'where's mama?'.
2-3 years
By the age of 2, your child's vocabulary should include at least 50 single words. Children within this age bracket are able to use 1-3 words to communicate and they will begin to use language for a range of purposes, such as to initiate an interaction, to comment and name, to ask questions, to gain attention, and to make requests.
3-4 years
By the age of 3, you can expect your child's vocabulary to consist of 150-250 words. Children will begin to use sentences of 4 words and more, whilst they will also be able to use pronouns such as 'his', 'hers', 'mine' and 'yours' accurately.
4-5 years
Within this age bracket, children are able to use long and detailed sentences and form short personal narratives about their own experiences, including 'who', 'where' 'when' and 'what happened'. Children will begin to ask complex questions about the world around them, including 'how' and 'why' questions.