| Birth to 3 months |
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Reacts to loud sounds with startle reflex.
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Is soothed and quieted by soft sounds.
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Turns head to you when you speak.
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Is awakened by loud voices and sounds.
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Smiles in response to voices when spoken to.
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Seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying. |
| 3 to 6 months |
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Looks or turns toward a new sound.
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Responds to "no" and changes in tone of voice.
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Imitates his or her own voice.
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Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds.
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Begins to repeat sounds (such as ooh, aah and ba-ba).
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Becomes scared by a loud voice or noise. |
| 6 to 10 months |
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Responds to his or her own name, telephone ringing, someone's voice, even when not loud.
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Knows words for common things (cup, shoe) and sayings ("bye-bye").
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Makes babbling sounds, even when alone.
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Starts to respond to requests such as "come here."
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Looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them. |
| 10 to 15 months |
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Plays with own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it.
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Points to or looks at familiar objects or people when asked to do so.
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Imitates simple words and sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully.
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Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
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Follows one-step commands when shown by a gesture. |
| 15 to 18 months |
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Follows simple directions, such as "give me the ball" without being shown.
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Uses words he or she has learned often.
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Uses 2 to 3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things.
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Knows 10 to 20 words.
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Points to some body parts when asked. |
| 18 to 24 months |
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Understands simple "yes-no" questions (Are you hungry?).
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Understands simple phrases ("in the cup," "on the table").
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Enjoys being read to.
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Points to pictures when asked. |
| 24 to 36 months |
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Understands "not now" and "no more."
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Chooses things by size (big, little).
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Follows two-step commands, such as "get your shoes and come here."
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Understands many action words (run, jump). |