The timetable for language development for a child is varied, but their understanding of your words amaze most parents every day.
Here we have listed a guide to a child’s understanding and common vocabulary from around 9 months to six years, although it is to be used just a guide, as each child develops at their own rate.
9-12 MONTHS
9-12 MONTHS
At 9 months baby can understand ‘no’ and responds to own name. They will also look for a person when asked, like “Where’s daddy?”
12-16 MONTHS
12-16 MONTHS
Points to objects at are familiar when named, such as a toy or car, and might start to say the words that are easy and most of all important to them, (usually “daddy” comes first). They can now understand simple instructions like “0pen your mouth” when you feed them.
16-18 MONTHS
16-18 MONTHS
They start to understand the name for some body parts, “Where is your nose?”, “Where is daddy’s mouth?” A good number of simple words are now spoken, again what is ‘important’ or ‘familiar’ to them.
18-24 MONTHS
18-24 MONTHS
The toddler can now understand action words like “stand up'”and answers “yes” or “no” to simple questions like, “Do you want a drink?”
“More” will be a prominent word from 18 months, and “no” will be used more decisively.Generally, you should expect them to start forming two-word sentences by the age of two. “Help, Mum” could be the first one you hear.
2-3 YEARS
2-3 YEARS
They understand family and friends’ names and action words like “running”. They can follow two-part instructions like, “Pick up your toy and put it in your bag”. Can answer who, what, where questions, “Where has Daddy gone?” and will talk away happily to their friends imaginary or real.
3-4 YEARS
3-4 YEARS
They understand ‘describing words’ like “Give me the dirty one”. Understanding of amounts such as “Take one piece.” They understand three-part instructions and answers, “whose”, and “how many” questions, like “Whose teddy is this?” And “How many friends do you have in your street?”
4-5 YEARS
4-5 YEARS
Understands ‘not’ concepts, as in “It’s not green.” She knows basic colours and numbers, and concepts such as ‘behind’ and ‘under’ and will answer ‘Why’ questions.
5-6 YEARS
5-6 YEARS
Understands positional concepts, such as “Do you like the one in the front?” They can answer ‘how much’ questions, like “How much would those costs?” and understands differences, like “How are these different or the same?”
READING
Research has shown that children who are read to more often during their early years not only become better readers but also have a larger vocabulary.
