FREE Language Averages vs Milestones Chart
Compare and contrast average vocabulary development vs MILESTONE word counts.
What counts as a word?
Word approximations (e.g. “dah” for dog or “ba” for “ball”)
Actual words (mama/mom)
Exclamatory/sound words (e.g. "uh-oh", “beep”, “whoa”, “gulp”)
Animal sounds (e.g. "moo", “meow”, “baa”, “maa”, “woof”, “roar”)
Sign language (e.g. “more”, “all done”, “help”)⠀
If you child says any of these words consistently, independently and with intention, then boom! It's a word!
What is a “MILESTONE” - defined as what “MOST” children are able to do at a certain age (approximately 90% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
What is "AVERAGE” - reflects a mean number of words being used by a certain age group (approximately 50% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
The difference? Speech Language Pathologists are experts in their field. We often state a child should be saying 10 words by 15 months, 50 words by 18 months, and 200-300 words by 24 months! Whereas the AAP, CDC or Mayo Clinic states that a child should say 10 words by 18 months or 50 words by 24 months. Obviously that is a large difference, so why the gap?
The large gap is because SLPs often are referring to the average number of words spoken as a reference and the AAP, CDC and Mayo Clinic use the milestone as as their reference.
If you child is CLOSE to the milestone number of spoken words, I recommend being pro-active vs "reactive" and waiting until your child's next doctor visit. Instead, reach out to your state's early intervention program for a free or low-cost evaluation and also discuss your concerns in detail with your pediatrician. To wait and see is to lose valuable intervention time during the most critical period of development.
If you child is CLOSE to the average number of spoken words, there are tons of things you can do at home to help your child learn and use more words!
Check out all of my free resources at www.YouTube.com/TheSpeechScoop, view free tips on www.instagram.com/TheSpeechScoop or download free resources here!
Compare and contrast average vocabulary development vs MILESTONE word counts.
What counts as a word?
Word approximations (e.g. “dah” for dog or “ba” for “ball”)
Actual words (mama/mom)
Exclamatory/sound words (e.g. "uh-oh", “beep”, “whoa”, “gulp”)
Animal sounds (e.g. "moo", “meow”, “baa”, “maa”, “woof”, “roar”)
Sign language (e.g. “more”, “all done”, “help”)⠀
If you child says any of these words consistently, independently and with intention, then boom! It's a word!
What is a “MILESTONE” - defined as what “MOST” children are able to do at a certain age (approximately 90% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
What is "AVERAGE” - reflects a mean number of words being used by a certain age group (approximately 50% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
The difference? Speech Language Pathologists are experts in their field. We often state a child should be saying 10 words by 15 months, 50 words by 18 months, and 200-300 words by 24 months! Whereas the AAP, CDC or Mayo Clinic states that a child should say 10 words by 18 months or 50 words by 24 months. Obviously that is a large difference, so why the gap?
The large gap is because SLPs often are referring to the average number of words spoken as a reference and the AAP, CDC and Mayo Clinic use the milestone as as their reference.
If you child is CLOSE to the milestone number of spoken words, I recommend being pro-active vs "reactive" and waiting until your child's next doctor visit. Instead, reach out to your state's early intervention program for a free or low-cost evaluation and also discuss your concerns in detail with your pediatrician. To wait and see is to lose valuable intervention time during the most critical period of development.
If you child is CLOSE to the average number of spoken words, there are tons of things you can do at home to help your child learn and use more words!
Check out all of my free resources at www.YouTube.com/TheSpeechScoop, view free tips on www.instagram.com/TheSpeechScoop or download free resources here!
Compare and contrast average vocabulary development vs MILESTONE word counts.
What counts as a word?
Word approximations (e.g. “dah” for dog or “ba” for “ball”)
Actual words (mama/mom)
Exclamatory/sound words (e.g. "uh-oh", “beep”, “whoa”, “gulp”)
Animal sounds (e.g. "moo", “meow”, “baa”, “maa”, “woof”, “roar”)
Sign language (e.g. “more”, “all done”, “help”)⠀
If you child says any of these words consistently, independently and with intention, then boom! It's a word!
What is a “MILESTONE” - defined as what “MOST” children are able to do at a certain age (approximately 90% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
What is "AVERAGE” - reflects a mean number of words being used by a certain age group (approximately 50% of children at this age say the number of words listed).
The difference? Speech Language Pathologists are experts in their field. We often state a child should be saying 10 words by 15 months, 50 words by 18 months, and 200-300 words by 24 months! Whereas the AAP, CDC or Mayo Clinic states that a child should say 10 words by 18 months or 50 words by 24 months. Obviously that is a large difference, so why the gap?
The large gap is because SLPs often are referring to the average number of words spoken as a reference and the AAP, CDC and Mayo Clinic use the milestone as as their reference.
If you child is CLOSE to the milestone number of spoken words, I recommend being pro-active vs "reactive" and waiting until your child's next doctor visit. Instead, reach out to your state's early intervention program for a free or low-cost evaluation and also discuss your concerns in detail with your pediatrician. To wait and see is to lose valuable intervention time during the most critical period of development.
If you child is CLOSE to the average number of spoken words, there are tons of things you can do at home to help your child learn and use more words!
Check out all of my free resources at www.YouTube.com/TheSpeechScoop, view free tips on www.instagram.com/TheSpeechScoop or download free resources here!