Communication Milestones

The importance of language

We often wait in anticipation for our child’s first word; will it be ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’ or the name of the family dog? Language is an important part of a child’s development. It supports their ability to express their needs, wants, feelings and it helps them understand the world around them. Language is essential in supporting thinking and problem-solving, and developing and maintaining social relationships.

Stages of development

Each child is an individual and as such their development can be different from others. The learning of skills is not always predictable or linear. However, we do have an understanding of the general development pattern. These developmental achievements are called ‘milestones’ and are a useful guide for tracking your child’s development.

Communication Milestones