Says 3 or more words
What it is
Besides mama/dada: e.g., ball, more, no, dog — in any language, counted together.
Start preparing
- Label everything the child touches; keep phrases 1–2 words longer than theirs.
- Offer choices with real objects and wait; accept approximations ('ba' = ball) and repeat the correct word.
- Pacifier for sleep only from 12 months — a mouth with a pacifier doesn't practise words.
- 15 minutes a day of one-on-one play with the phone in another room.
When to check with a professional
Fewer than 6 words by 18 months, or no new words month to month, is a good reason to book a hearing test and speech-language evaluation. Development varies widely; this is a prompt to ask, not a diagnosis.
Related
Sources
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. — milestone checklists (2022 revision) — CDC / American Academy of Pediatrics
- Speech and language development milestones — American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.