Early Atlas

Skill

Understands an Increasing Number of Words

Child understands a growing number of words and signs used in everyday communication.

Ages 4–36 months

receptive-language vocabulary comprehension infant toddler

Why it matters

Receptive vocabulary — the words a child understands — grows well ahead of the words a child says. Recognizing names of people and objects, responding to simple sentences, and grasping positional words like on and under let a child follow conversation and participate in daily routines.

Builds toward this milestone

  • understands an increasing number of words used in communication with others. — Head Start ELOF

Explore milestones →

What mastery looks like

  • Looks at or points to a familiar person, animal, or object when it is named.
  • Responds appropriately to the meaning of a growing number of everyday words.
  • Understands common positional words such as on, under, up, or down.

How to observe it

  • When you name a familiar object without pointing, does the child look toward it?
  • When you ask the child to put a toy "under" or "on" something, do they understand the word?

Accessibility

  • Accept eye gaze, reaching, or AAC selections as evidence of understanding for children with motor differences.
  • Pair spoken words with signs or pictures for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Activities

Evidence

Early Atlas