From 18 to 24 Months - Hearing and Speech

Baby Your Baby

The following checklist is a guide to normal hearing and speech development for the 18 to 24 month old child. As time goes by, check to see if your child can do most of the things listed below:

• Searches for sounds in all directions.
• By two years of age is starting to use two-word phrases, such as "Me go," "Mama bye-bye" or "Want drink."
• By age two years, parents can understand at least half of the child's talking.
• Uses "Yes" and "No" by speaking or nodding and shaking his head.
• Follows simple instructions with real objects such as "Get ball," "Push car" or "Throw ball."
• Sometimes repeats requests.
• Asks 1to 2 word questions like "more?", "where kitty?", "go bye-bye?"

Here are some suggestions for speech activities:

• Take your child with you when you visit the store, garage, zoo, dig the garden, plant seeds, etc. Talk about what you see and do, making sure your child is included in the activities. This may mean that you can't achieve as much as you would by yourself.
• Make sure you are a good speech model at all times-talk slowly, simply and clearly. Give one direction at a time.

Read simple picture books to him, pointing out the actions in the pictures.

From 18 to 24 Months

Your Developing Child
Temper, Temper
Hearing and Speech
Nutrition
Healthy Teeth
Toilet Training
Sleep
Safety