The Hanen program, It Takes Two to Talk discusses four stages of communication that children progress through. Children with speech, language and communication difficulties go through these four stages too, just at a slower rate and some children do not always get through all of these stages.

Find the It Takes Two to Talk book on amazon.ca or amazon.com.

The Four Stages:

Discoverers. Children who are “discoverers” do not communicate with a specific purpose; however, they do react to how they feel and they react to what is occurring around them. Examples: crying, cooing, babbling, looks, smiles, laughs. Typically developing children tend to be in this stage between the ages of approximately 1-8 months.
Communicators. Children who are “communicators” are now sending messages with a specific purpose without the use of words. Examples: gestures such as waving, pointing, shaking/nodding head. Typically developing children tend to be in this stage between the ages of approximately 8-12 months.
First Word Users. A child who is a “first word user” are now using single words, signs or pictures. Their words usually represent common and familiar people or objects around them. Examples: mama, dada, ball, dog. Typically developing children tend to be in this stage between the ages of approximately 12-22 months.
Combiners. When children have between 50-100 words they begin to combine their words! Context is often required to fully understand what combiners mean. Examples: cookie allgone, more juice, mommy up. Typically developing children tend to be in this stage between the ages of approximately 22-24 months +.

What stage of communication is your child in?

-Shannon