Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Language Development and Communication (LDC)

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.

Skill Progression: Answers questions

Age: 12-15 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 12-15 Months.

Observe interactions during daily routines.

The adult asks the child if she wants a particular item.

Indicates desires with head nod for “yes” or shake for “no.”

Children begin to understand that a question requires a response. Early questions can be answered with a movement of the head or a point. Encourage early childhood educators and parents to model using a head nod and head-shake to help the child learn the meaning. For example, the adult asks the child “Do you want up?” The adult picks the child up, and the child leans backward and cries (indicating “Put me down.”). The adult can say, “You don’t want up.” Say “No” (shaking head to model).