What Counts as a Word?
Word Milestones for Kids
When counting words for milestones or keeping track of your child’s language growth, it’s crucial to count all words! Words won’t sound like adult speech at first, but they count if they are used consistently, intentionally, and independently!
Word approximations- “kuh” for cookie, “ba” for ball, “oo” for shoe
Sign language- eat, more, all done
Sound effects- beep, vroom, woosh
Animal sounds- moo, oink, quack
Exclamatory words- wee, yay, boo
If your child is producing any of this language multiple times consistently, intentionally, and independently, it counts as a word. Your child may have more words than you think!