Milestones
What children usually do.
Type your child's age in months. You will see what most children are doing around then, and when it is worth asking for help. Children vary a lot: this is a rough guide and it cannot tell you about your own child.
1 year
One to eighteen months.
Most children, around now
- Says a first few words, even if not perfectly
- Understands simple things like 'where is your cup?'
- Points to show you things, not just to ask
- Follows simple instructions with a gesture
Worth asking for help if
- No words at all by about eighteen months
- Not pointing or waving
- Does not seem to understand simple familiar words
At any age: ask soon if your child loses words or skills they had, if you are worried about their hearing, or if they are upset about talking. Your health visitor, GP or school nurse can help too, and NHS speech and language therapy is free.
A rough guide drawn from published milestones, not a diagnosis. Premature babies, and children learning two languages, can follow a slightly different path.
Five things that help, at any age.
- Get down on the floor, and talk about what they are looking at.
- Leave a long pause. Count to five. They may fill it.
- Say the word back the right way, without correcting them.
- Read the same book again. Yes, again.
- Keep using your home language. It helps and does not hinder.
Start with a free phone call.
Fifteen minutes, with no obligation. We listen and tell you honestly whether you need us, the NHS, or nothing yet.