Speech & Language Development Milestones
Understanding the benchmarks for speech and language development in children with hearing loss and how to support them.
Children learn language by listening to others talk. Children who have hearing loss may have trouble hearing the sounds of speech, which can lead to delays in their speech and language development. However, with the right technology and therapy, they can catch up to their hearing peers.
Key Milestones
It is important to know the milestones for speech and language development so you can track your child's progress. While every child is different, general guidelines include:
- 0-6 Months: Coos, turns head towards sound, startles at loud noises.
- 6-12 Months: Babbles (mamama, bababa), understands "no", responds to own name.
- 12-18 Months: Says first words, follows simple 1-step directions.
- 18-24 Months: Uses 2-word phrases, has a vocabulary of 50+ words.
Supporting Development at Home
Parents can support their child's language development by talking, reading, and playing with them. Visual cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, can also help.
Narrate Your Day
Talk about what you are doing, seeing, and feeling. "I am washing the dishes. The water is warm. Splash splash." This bathes the child in language.
Read Together
Reading is one of the best ways to build vocabulary. Point to pictures, name them, and make the associated sounds.
Source Reference
Originally published by CDC.