What Counts as a Word? (Word Milestones for Kids)

Play can encourage words!

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!