North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

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

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children participate in conversations with peers and adults in one-on-one, small, and larger group interactions.

Skill Progression: Participate in conversations with peers and adults

Age: 18-21 Months

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

Directs conversation primarily to self and adults

Situations for Observation of Skill

Observe the child in solitary play and in play interactions with others and/or during daily routines with the adult.

Elicitation Strategy

No elicitation needed except for asking the name of an object.

Behavior Observed

When no one is present the child talks to herself.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Children at this age do not understand that conversation takes place with others. They are happy to talk to themselves and even objects. This provides opportunities to practice communication skills, and adults should not discourage self-talk.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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