Most children will:
- Follow simple one-step directions - "sit down".
- Look across the room to something you point to.
- Consistently use three to five words.
- Use gestures to communicate - wave "bye-bye", shake head "no".
- Get your attention using sounds, gestures and pointing while looking at your eyes.
- Bring you toys to show you.
- "Perform" for attention and praise.
- Combine lots of sounds as though talking - abada baduh abee.
- Show interest in simple pictures.
Babies like it when you:
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Get down on their level so they can see your face. This tells them that you're interested in what they're doing and saying. It makes it easier to interact with you.
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Repeat the sounds they make. Babies enjoy making noises, and like it when you imitate them over and over.
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Sing and laugh, especially when you are feeding, bathing, and changing them. Remember to talk to your baby throughout the day about things you do and see - "Mommy's putting on her coat", "That's a big truck".
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Tell them the names of the objects they are looking at and playing with. Babies are interested in exploring and learning about new things, and like to hear what things are called.
Source: Your baby's speech and language skills from birth to 30 months. Government of Ontario, 2007.