Pragmatic Language Development

Source:- The Speech and Language Development Chart developed by Addy Gard, Leslea Gillman, Jim Gorman and other sources.

Birth to 3 Months

? Briefly looks at people

? Follows moving person with eyes

? Quiets in response to sound (responds more readily to speech rather than nonspeech)

? Smiles/coos in response to another smile/voice (1-4 months)

? Excites when caregiver approaches (1-4 months)

? Aware of strangers and unfamiliar situations (1-4 months)

? Cries differentially when tired, hungry or in pain

? Quiets when picked up

3 to 6 Months

? Fixes gaze on face

? Responds to name by looking for voice (4-8 months)

? Regularly localizes sound source/speaker

? Occasionally vocalizes in response to speech

6 to 9 Months

? Initiates vocalizing to another person

? Enjoys being played with (4-8 months)

? Differentiates vocalizations for different states: hunger, anger, contentment (4-8 months)

? Recognizes familiar people

? Cries when parent leaves the room

? Imitates familiar sounds and actions

9 to 12 Months

? Shouts or coughs to attract attention

? Shakes head “no” and pushes undesired objects away

? Waves “bye”

? Affectionate to familiar people

? Begins directing others’ behavior physically and through gestures (pats, pulls, tugs on adult)

? Uses pointing to learn new vocabulary (people in environment label things as child points)

? Extends arms to be picked up

? Participates in games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”

? Reaches to request an object

? Begins to vary behavior according to emotional reactions of others; repeats actions that are laughed at

? Participates in vocal play, using content and expression

12 to 18 Months

? Brings objects to show an adult

? Requests objects by pointing and vocalizing or possibly using a word approximation

? Solicits another’s attention vocally, physically and possibly with a word

? Gesturally requests action/assistance (may give back wind-up toy to request reactivation)

? Says “bye” and possibly a few other conversational ritual words such as “hi”, “thank you” and “please”

? Protests by saying “no”, shaking head, moving away, frowning or pushing objects away.

? Comments on object/action by directing listener’s attention to it with a point and vocalization or word approximation

? Labels objects

? Answers simple wh questions with vocal response (may be unintelligible) ? Acknowledges speech of another by giving eye contact, vocally responding or repeating word said.

? Teases, scolds, warns using gesture plus a vocalization or word approximation

18 to 24 Months

? Uses simple words or short phrases to express the intentions listed at the 12-18 month level

? Names objects in front of others

? Says, “What’s that?” to elicit attention

? Begins using single words and two-word phrases to a command (move), indicate possession (mine), and express problems (got boo boo)

? Much verbal turn-taking

2 to 3 Years

? Engages in short dialogues

? Verbally introduces and changes topic of discussion

? Expresses emotion

? Begins using language in imaginative ways

? Begins providing descriptive details to facilitate comprehension

? Uses attention-getting words such as, “hey”

? Clarifies and requests clarification

? Prenarrative development begins with heaps (collection of unrelated ideas) and sequences (story elements linked by perceptual bonds)

3 to 4 Years

? Engages in longer dialogues

? Assumes the role of another person in play

? Uses more fillers to acknowledge partner’s message (uh-huh, ok)

? Begins code switching (using simpler language) when talking to very young children

? Uses more elliptical responses

? Requests permission

? Begins using language for fantasies, jokes, teasing

? Makes conversational repairs when listener has not understood

? Corrects others

? Primitive narratives: events follow from central core/use of inference in stories

? Topic maintenance for 3 turns and provides explanations

? Requests more information to keep conversation going

? Appropriate eye contact

? Terminates conversation appropriately

? Uses indirectives/hints to get listener to do/get something

? Refines speech to insure listener has background information

? Role playing, temporarily assumes another’s perspective-jokes with conversation partner, provides warning, teases

5 to 6 Years

? Uses indirect requests

? Correctly uses deictic items such as this, that, here, there

? Uses twice as many effective utterances as 3-year old to discuss emotions and feelings

? Narrative development characterized by unfocused chains; stories have sequence of events but no central character or theme

? Tells a story by looking at pictures

? Describes functions of objects

? Communicates cause-and-effect relationships

? Uses contingent queries to maintain a conversation

? Creates interest in a listener by indirect references

? Communicates knowledge about the world to peers and adults

? Tells 2 familiar stories without pictures for help; includes all important parts

? States a problem

? Sustains a topic for 4 turns

? Provides information that is relevant to the listener

? Responds appropriately to questions involving time concepts

? Will answer/ask “where”, “when”, “why”, “how many”, “what do you do?”, “why do we?”

? Extends topic

? Asks permission to use other’s belongings

? Uses such terms as, “thank you”, “please”, and “you’re welcome” appropriately

? Recognizes another’s need for help and provides assistance