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: 18-21 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 18-21 Months.

Observe the child in play with the adult or another child.

The child may spontaneously use pronouns or answer “what” questions. If not, the adult can elicit these by using them in play. For example, ask, “What do you want to play with?” During block building the adult might say, “My turn.” “Your turn.” When the blocks fall, the adult can say, “That makes me sad!”

When the adult uses emotion words, the child responds with a similar facial expression or an offer of assistance (if adult is sad or mad.)

Adults can help children learn emotional vocabulary by labeling their own emotions and pairing the words with exaggerated expressions.