What to Expect: The First Three Years of Language Development

The First Three Years: What Can Caregivers Expect?  

CAP Communications specializes in the language-literacy needs of children in kindergarten and up, but it is important to know what to look for before then! The first three years of a child’s life are full of change, and one of the main areas of growth is their language. It includes their first babble, copying our speaking patterns, and soon, their phrases and sentences. Their listening and understanding skills quickly grow during this time. It’s important to break down key milestones to look for and to help us understand what is happening and when to expect it.

Year 1: Understanding Sounds and Starting to Babble

It’s just the beginning! The first year is when your baby learns to communicate—even before they can speak! They listen to the sounds around them, learn to recognize your voice, and try out their own voice with coos, babbles, and screeches. They start smiling, turning toward sounds, and recognizing familiar faces and voices. Around six months, they will begin to use patterns in their babbles, such as “ba-ba” and “da-da.” This is just the beginning of their speech development!  

I do, you do – Babbling and Imitating! During the second half of the year, even more changes occur in your baby’s language development. They begin to understand and follow simple, one-word directions, such as “sit,” or “give.” Other exciting changes include responding to their names, gesturing (i.e., pointing), and using their voice to gain attention or show a need or want. The quietness of your newborn will be gone, and you will begin to hear more and more sounds and oral communication from your baby!

Year 2: First Words and Simple Phrases

I think they said…! Around the 12-month mark, your child may use their first word. Often, it is a common word such as, “mama,” “dada,” or even something like “ball,” or “dog.” The word is usually a label for something seen, heard, or used often in the baby’s everyday routine. They will copy words and short phrases, start understanding basic body parts, and their babbling will sound more like real speech. Around this time, babies may have 1-5 basic words in their vocabulary.  

Now we’re talking! During the 18–24-month phase, you will see “explosive” growth in your child’s vocabulary understanding and use to about 50-100 words. They will gain new words and even experiment with 2- or maybe 3-word phrases, such as “red truck,” or “more milk.” They will begin to understand simple directions, such as “come here,” and “give me the toy,” as well as basic WH- questions, such as “where,” “what,” and “who?”

Year 3: Sentences and Vocabulary Expansion

They sound so grown up! Between the ages of 2-3 years, your child’s vocabulary grows faster than ever! They will start using short statements and requests, like “I want juice,” or “Mama help.” By the end of this time, longer sentences may be used, like “Look at the big dog!” They will start to understand time, grammar (i.e., past and future tense verbs like jumped or will jump) and use the other WH- words (e.g., Why, Where, and When). They understand two-step directions (e.g., “Sit and eat your snack.) and begin to understand and use pronouns for common people (e.g., He, She, We, They) and things (e.g., It). You and less familiar people will understand your child more than before!

Why Are These Milestones Important?

Each milestone builds on another, and they are all important skills to help your child understand the world and communicate their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Language development helps your child build and maintain relationships with family, friends, and teachers. It makes a huge difference in their ability to learn and succeed in school and beyond! See previous blogposts about how to help your child reach these early developmental milestones.

As always, remember that your child has unique abilities and will grow at their own speed. Some babies use their first words early but take longer to combine words or use gestures. Other babies may meet their gross motor milestones first, then their language catches up to them. Watch for progress and hitting the milestones and stay in touch with your child’s pediatrician if you are worried. They can discuss what you are (or aren’t!) seeing and refer you to a speech-language pathologist for further guidance if needed.

Watching your child’s language grow is a gift. Caregivers should enjoy and celebrate each word and sound while knowing they have the support they need here at CAP Communications along the way!