Photo: mikkelwilliam/istockYour child and speech
Parents often find it difficult to determine if their child is speech delayed. We all know the story of “Cousin Johnny” who didn’t say a word at age two but suddenly spoke in full sentences at age three. But is that the norm? “Speech therapy for toddlers and children is not uncommon,” explains Jeanette Podolsky, a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Clinical Director at The Speech Therapy Centres of Canada Ltd. “Knowing the milestones can help in early detection of a speech delay.”
“Knowing what to look for can make a huge difference in a child’s language development,” explains Podolsky. “If you are concerned, ask your doctor, child’s teacher or caregiver. Or consult a speech-language therapist in your area."
Here are key milestones your child should be reaching.
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At 12 months
Your child should be able to:
• Anticipate events (for example, a cup or bottle means getting a drink)
• Begin imitating sounds, words and actions
• Recognize his or her name
• Show interest in simple picture books
• Follow simple directions
• Point out objects of personal interest to an adult (for example, a favourite toy)
At 18 months
Your child should be able to:
• Use at least 15 words
• Enjoy solitary play
• Have a limited sense of sharing
• Ask simple questions such as "What's that?"
• Pretend to feed a doll
• Recognize pictures when named
• Refer to him or herself by name
At 2 years
Your child should be able to:
• Follow simple directions
• Put toys away upon request
• Understand new words rapidly
• Use at least 50 different words consistently
• Use two-word phrases such as "mommy up" or "baby sleep"
• Be understood 50 percent of the time by familiar people
At 3 years
Your child should be able to:
• Enjoy make-believe play
• Follow two-step commands
• Use three- to four-word sentences
• Understand the difference between pictures and print
• Play in groups with other children
• Share toys for short periods of time
• Understand simple questions such as "Who?" , "What?" , "Where" and "Why?"
• Be understood 75 per cent of the time by familiar people
At 4 years
Your child should be able to:
• Ask a lot of questions
• Categorize objects (for example, understand that an apple is a fruit)
• Use four- to five-word sentences
• Use complex sentences
• Match some letters with the sounds they represent
• Play and take turns in playing with others
• Enjoy role playing
• Tell stories with a beginning and an end
• Be understood 90 percent of the time by familiar people
At 5 years
Your child should be able to:
• Follow game rules
• Discuss feelings
• Follow three-step commands
• Use proper grammar 90 percent of the time
• Use complex sentences and maintain variety in vocabulary
• Show interest in group activities
• Speak clearly 90 to 100 percent of the time
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