Ready to Thrive Milestones:
Language & Literacy
Did you know that 90% of the brain is developed before the age of 5 years old?
Our Developmental Milestones for Language and Literacy will help you track your child’s progress toward kindergarten readiness throughout the first five years in six month increments. These resource guides align state standards and milestones with practical examples so families can support their child’s future success.
*The standards referenced in the documents provided below expand upon the areas of language, reading, and writing from the 2022 Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards.
0-6 months
During the first six months of life, infants undergo rapid developmental changes as they learn to adapt and interact with their environment. They will begin to communicate through cooing, babbling, and making facial expressions. Infants develop social skills by engaging in eye contact and responding to people around them. These developmental milestones provide a foundation for future growth and learning.
6-12 months
Children will begin to achieve important milestones in their physical, cognitive, and social development. In terms of Language & Literacy, they start to understand cause and effect, recognize familiar faces and objects, and communicate through babbling and other sounds. Monitoring these developmental standards can ensure a child is growing and developing in a healthy and ageappropriate way.
12-18 months
Children are at an exciting stage of development during this time. A child in this age range may achieve walking independently, saying their first words, and engaging in more complex play activities. It is important for caregivers to be aware of these milestones so that they can provide appropriate support and encouragement to help children reach their full potential.
18-24 months
Children in this age range continue to make significant strides. During this stage, there are important language developments as children begin to understand and use a wide range of words and phrases to communicate with those around them.
24-36 months
At this stage, children are curious and eager to learn. They have an increased ability to understand and use language to communicate more effectively. Social and emotional development is also an important aspect of this phase. They become more aware of their emotions and learn to express themselves verbally.
36-48 months
Between the ages of 36 and 48 months, children become more imaginative and creative. They enjoy pretend play and can create their own stories. They also have a better memory and can recall events from the past more easily. Their vocabulary continues to expand, and they can form more complex sentences.
48-60 months
At this time, children continue to undergo great developmental changes. Your child will become more inquisitive. They ask a lot of questions and want to explore the world around them. They can count, recognize letters, and read simple words. This concludes the developmental continuum for 0 to 5 years old as defined by the OELDS.