page_title: Language delay
section_title: Timeline of typical speech and language developmental milestones
hierarchical_section_title: Language delay / Language Development / Timeline of typical speech and language developmental milestones
caption_attribution_description: A human male baby, crying. The baby is only a few days old and still adjusting to life outside of the womb.
context_page_description: A language delay is a language disorder in which a child fails to develop language abilities at the usual age-appropriate period in their developmental timetable. It is most commonly seen in children from two years-old to the age of seven years-old and can sometimes continue into late childhood. The reported prevalence of language delay is not agreed upon and ranges from 2.3 to 19 percent.
  Language is a uniquely human form of communication that entails the use of words in a standard and structured way. Language is distinct from communication. Communication is a two-stage process. The first stage is the process of encoding the message into a set of words and sentence structures that convey the required meaning, i.e. into language. In the second stage, language is translated into motor commands that control the articulators, thereby creating speech.
  Language delays are distinct from speech delays, in which the development of the mechanical and motor aspects of speech production are delayed. Speech is the verbal motor production of language, while language is a means of communication. Because language and speech are independent, they may be individually delayed.
context_section_description: This timeline only provides a general outline of expected developments from birth to age five, individual children can still exhibit varying development patterns as this timeline only serves as a general guideline. This timeline is only one model, other models regarding language development exist. The development of language remains a theoretical mystery.
  Around 2 months, babies can make “cooing" sounds.
  Around 4 months, babies can respond to voices.
  Around 6 months, babies begin to babble and respond to names.
  Around 9 months, babies begin to produce mama/dada - appropriate terms and are able to imitate one word at a time.
  Around 12 months, toddlers can typically speak one or more words. They can produce two words with meaning.
  Around 15 months, toddlers begin to produce jargon, which is defined as "pre-linguistic vocalizations in which infants use adult-like stress and intonation".
  Around 18 months, toddlers can produce 10 words and follow simple commands.
  Around 24 months, toddlers begin to produce 2-3 words and phases that use "I", "Me", and "you", indicating possession. They are about 25% intelligible.
  Around 3 years, toddlers are able to use language in numerical terms.
caption: Newborn baby: No language skills developed yet, but is communicating through actions and sounds such as crying.
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