There is a lot to keep track of as your baby grows.

From those early, unsteady steps and giggles, the first two years of your baby’s life is full of firsts. Your doctor or nurse practitioners is a great resource for questions that you may have. Use their expertise!

Just as you track the first time your baby eats “big kid” food or takes those first steps, you can look for milestones in how your baby’s language skills are building.

Here are some skills to watch for as your baby’s language and speech develops, thanks to the speech language pathologists who work with the Escambia County School District. These experts shared milestones in a child’s hearing and comprehension and speech. And they offer activities that you can do to help these skills develop.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: AGES 4 TO 6 MONTHS

Hearing, Understanding, Speech:

— Your baby moves his or her eyes in the direction of sounds.

— Your baby notices toys that make sounds or music.

— Your baby responds to changes in the sound and tone of your voice.

— Your baby coos and babbles.

— Your baby giggles and laughs.

— Your baby makes sounds when he or she is happy — or upset.

HOW TO BUILD THE SKILL

— Name objects that you see around you.

— Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes.

— Imitate the sounds and gestures your baby makes.

— Encourage your baby to look toward the direction of sounds.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: AGES 7 TO 12 MONTHS

Hearing, Understanding, Speech:

— Your baby looks when you point.

— Your baby looks at you when you say his or her name.

— Your baby responds and recognizes common words (ball, bye-bye, cup) or people (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa).

— Your baby plays peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.

— Your baby bables several sounds in one breath.

— Your baby uses gestures such as waving, reaching, shaking head no.

— Your baby imitates different speech sounds.

— Your baby says one or two words around the first birthday.

HOW TO BUILD THE SKILL

— Name and label things that your baby shows interest in.

— use descriptive words to talk about colors, shapes and sizes of objects.

— Say the words that you think your baby is trying to say.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: AGES 1-2 YEARS

Hearing, Understanding, Speech:

— Your baby points to body parts (foot, hand, head, tummy) when asked.

— Your baby follows simple directions, “Roll the ball, clap your hands.”

— Your baby understands simple questions such as “Where are your shoes? Where is your toy?”

— Your baby points to pictures in books when you name them.

— Your baby starts to name pictures in books.

— Your baby asks “who,” “what,” and “where” questions, such as “Who’s that?” and “Where’s kitty?”

— Your baby puts two words together to make a thought, such as, “More juice,” or “Daddy help.”

HOW TO BUILD THE SKILL

— Name, describe and point to objects and people.

— Talk about animals and their sounds.

— Talk about the sounds you hear, such as a car horn, a dog barking, or a bell ringing.

— Read to your child every day, starting for 15-20 minutes a day.

— Sing songs and say nursery rhymes together.