Speech and language development is an essential part of development of children. It is of paramount importance that we are vigilant regarding the developmental milestones. Some common milestones are given below. By 3 months: • Cries when hungry/wet • Reacts to loud sounds with startle reflex • Is awakened by loud voices and sounds • Smiles in response to voices when spoken to • Raises head and chest when lying on stomach By 6 months • Grunts, gargles and cooing sounds • Babbles and laughs • Enjoys rattles or toys that makes sounds • Begins to repeat sounds (ooh-aah-ba-ba) • Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back • Plays peek-a-boo By 9 months • Produces string of sounds such as ba-ba-ba • Responds to his/her own name • Sits without support • Starts to respond to requests such as “come here” • Can look towards interesting sound By 12 months • Comprehends simple commands accompanied by gestures e.g. “Give it to daddy.” • Points to some body parts • Says 1-2 words meaningfully • Enjoys routine games such as pat-a-cake By 2 years • Uses speech like pattern interspersed with true words • Has a vocabulary of 50-100 words • Uses few two word phrases by 20-24 months • Drinks from a cup • Enjoys being read to By 3 years • Climbs stairs • Speaks 2-3 word phrases • Can sort by size i.e. big and small • Indicates toilet needs • Follows two step commands • e.g. “Get your shoes and come here.” • Awareness of gender identity- girl and boy