Domain

Language

Receptive and expressive language: understanding words and directions, building vocabulary, and communicating needs and ideas.

Ages 0–72 months

language communication vocabulary

Skills

Attends to Communication and Language Child attends to and learns from language experiences, joining in joint attention with familiar adults. 0–36 months Communicates Needs and Wants Child signals needs and wants, first non-verbally and then with words or signs. 0–36 months Comprehends Pictures and Stories Child draws meaning from pictures and stories, talking about and acting out what happens. 0–36 months Engages Others in Interaction Child uses sounds, gestures, words, or signs to start and keep social exchanges going. 0–36 months Joins in Rhymes and Songs Child attends to, repeats, and uses rhymes, phrases, or refrains from songs and stories. 0–36 months Handles Books Child explores and handles books and relates them to their stories or information. 4–36 months Imitates Sounds, Words, and Gestures Child observes and imitates sounds, words, gestures, and actions to communicate and connect. 4–36 months Recognizes Pictures and Symbols Child recognizes pictures and some symbols, signs, letters, or words. 4–36 months Understands an Increasing Number of Words Child understands a growing number of words and signs used in everyday communication. 4–36 months Asks Questions to Learn Child uses gestures, signs, or words to seek information and the names of things. 6–36 months Makes Marks to Represent Ideas Child makes marks and scribbles and uses them to represent objects or actions. 8–36 months Follows One-Step Directions Child carries out a simple one-step direction without gestures. 12–30 months Names Familiar Objects Child says the names of familiar people, body parts, and everyday objects. 12–30 months Uses Two-Word Phrases Child combines two words to express an idea or request. 18–36 months Identifies Common Colors Child points to or names common colors when asked. 24–48 months Attends to Conversations Child attends to and acknowledges spoken or signed conversation from others. 36–60 months Categorizes Words Child groups words into categories and understands how words relate. 36–60 months Provides Sufficient Detail Child gives enough detail to get needs met and clarifies when misunderstood. 36–60 months Speaks in Detailed Sentences Child expresses ideas in increasingly long, clear, and complex sentences. 36–60 months Takes Conversational Turns Child sustains multi-turn conversations and uses appropriate tone and volume. 36–60 months Understands Complex Language Child understands and responds to longer sentences, varied questions, and multi-step directions. 36–60 months

Early Atlas