Communication Development & Milestones

Communication development information and communication tips were collected from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) website. ASHA is the national professional credentialing association for a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). ASHA’s communication development resources were updated following the CDC’s 2022 update to developmental milestones and parent tips.

The links below will take you to more information about what children are beginning to do with communication at various ages.

Please remember: All children develop at their own rate and this information should not be used as a screening or diagnostic tool. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns about skills you see on the list. Remember to check the age range above and below your child’s actual age to get a feel for the range of skills they have learned or those that may be emerging.

Birth to 5 Years

Simple illustration of a gray flower with six petals and a white center.
A simple purple flower with six petals and a round center.

Kinder to 5th Grade

Development chart showing speech sounds children typically develop at ages 3 to 7, with age groups labeled and corresponding consonant sounds listed below each age.
Purple flower with six petals and a circular center.
Simple illustration of a gray flower with a white center.
A simple illustration of a white flower with five petals and a dark center.

Communication Tips

General

Here are some tips to help families support their child’s speech and language development:

  • Talk about what you’re doing, what your child is doing, and what your child sees. Use longer sentences as your child grows older.

  • Communicate with your child in the languages that you are most comfortable using.

  • Use a lot of different words with your child. Don’t worry about using big words. Children enjoy new and unusual words.

  • Listen and respond to your child.

  • Help your child listen. Give directions for your child to follow.

  • Have your child’s hearing tested if you find yourself repeating a lot or using a loud voice.

  • Tell stories to your child a lot. Read to your child as much as you can.

  • Ask questions and talk about what happened in the story. Read to your child in the languages they are learning.

  • Don’t interrupt your child to correct their speech sounds. It’s okay if your child makes some mistakes with sounds. Say the sounds correctly when you talk.

  • Ask questions that need more than a yes or no answer. Encourage your child to ask you questions.

  • Set limits for screen time. Use that time for talking, reading, and playing together.

  • Don’t wait to get help if you’re concerned. You know your child best. Getting help early can stop later problems with behavior, learning, reading, and social relationships.

For Early Grades

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

  • Talk with your child a lot.

  • Read different types of books. Read every day, and talk with your child about the story.

  • Help your child learn sound patterns of words. You can play rhyming games and point out letters as you read.

  • Have your child retell stories and talk about his day.

  • Talk with your child about what you do during the day. Give them directions to follow.

  • Talk about how things are the same and different.

  • Give your child chances to write.

For Later Grades

3rd-5th Grade

  • Keep your child reading. Find books and magazines that interest your child.

  • Ask your child what they think about what they hear or read. Connect what they read to events in their life.

  • Help your child connect what they reads and hear at school, home, and other events.

  • Talk out loud as you help your child read about and solve problems.

  • Help your child recognize spelling patterns. For example, point out the beginnings and endings of words, like "pre-" or "–ed."

  • Get your child to write letters, keep a diary, and write stories.

A simple cartoon-style gray flower with six petals and a white center.
A simple cartoon-style drawing of a white flower with a dark center and five petals.
Purple flower with six petals and a circular center
A cartoon-style flower with five light purple petals and a dark purple center.