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!”

The child responds to “what” questions by pointing to or naming an object.

Early childhood educators and parents can determine the child’s comprehension of vocabulary by asking “What” questions? For example, “What do you want to drink?” When children are learning words, give choices. “Milk or juice?”