Birth
• listens to speech
• startles or cries at noises
• awakens at loud sounds
0-3 months
• turns to you when you speak
• smiles when spoken to
• recognizes your voice and quiets down when crying
4-6 months
• responds to "no" and changes in your tone of voice
• looks around for sources of noise (doorbell, vacuum, etc.)
• notices toys that make sound
7 months - 1 yr
• listens when spoken to
• turns or looks up when his/her name is called
• enjoys games like pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo
• responds to simple requests ("come here", "want more?")
• recognizes words for common items ("cup, "shoe", "juice")
1-2 yrs
• listens to simple stories, rhymes, or songs
• follows simple commands and understands simple questions ("roll the ball", "kiss the baby")
• can point to a few body parts when asked
• points to pictures in books when they are named
2-3 yrs
• can follow two requests ("get the ball and put it on the table")
• continues to notice sounds (phone ringing, television, etc.)
• understands difference in meaning (go/stop, big/little, up/down)
3-4 yrs
• can answer simple "who", "what", "where", "why" questions
• can hear radio and TV at the same loudness as others
• can hear you when you call from another room
4-5 yrs
• pays attention to simple stories and can answer questions about it
• people who know your child think he/she hears well
• hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school