Communication, month by month
89 months
Explaining, sequencing & connecting
Source window: End of second grade · ages vary. School-age guidance describes end-of-grade skills, not monthly deadlines. Grade placement and ages vary.
What communication can look like
- Follows three or four directions and understands sequence and location words.
- Uses more complex sentences and explains words or ideas.
- Gives multi-step directions and stays on topic in conversations.
Everyday examples
in order to · for example · first, next, finally
Illustrative sounds, words, or phrases—not a required vocabulary list. Welcome gestures, AAC, and home languages too.
A little moment to try
Explain the steps of a favorite game together. Invite questions and different ways of describing an idea.
Ask Joey AI
A little card to share
Explore the CDC checkpoint cards from 2 months to 5 years, or revisit our original family collection.
Explore family cardsGrounded in published guidance
Milestone lists describe common skills, not an assessment or diagnosis. AI can be imperfect. For individual concerns, speak with a speech-language pathologist or pediatrician. For adults only; no personal child details or saved conversations.