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

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children understand communications from others.

Skill Progression: Understand communication from others

Age: 15-18 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 15-18 Months.

Have several board books with pictures of young children. Observe the child’s responses while interacting around the book.

An adult asks the child to go get a book to read (single step command). While looking at the pictures, the adult asks the child several questions, such as “Where is the baby’s nose?” “Where is your nose?” (body parts).

The child points to body parts on self /doll or in the pictures in the book.

Early childhood educators and parents need to share picture and simple story and rhyming books with infants several times throughout the day. Whenever possible, pair a real object with the picture of the object (e.g., his ball with the picture of a ball). Adults can encourage independence by having children do things on their own. Use simple one step commands (e.g., “Get your shoes.” “Comb your hair.”). Remind parents that simple questions, such as those requiring only a yes or no are easier for the child to respond to than those requiring more words.