Remember, not all children develop at the same rate but during this time I will:

• begin talking! I will be able to say around 20 words. These are usually things I hear a lot at home or in my early years setting – such as ‘milk’, ‘dog’, ‘hurrah’, ‘bye-bye’, ‘more’, ‘no’
• say words in a baby way, but the words usually sound the same each time I say them
• understand some simple words and short phrases. These are usually things I hear a lot during the day, such as ‘coat on’, ‘drink’, ‘shoes’, ‘bus’, ‘in your buggy’, ‘dinner time’, ‘all gone’
• recognise and point to familiar objects when you ask me
• enjoy games like ‘peek-a-boo’ and ‘patacake’ and toys that make a noise – I still like the comfort of a familiar adult nearby
• be exploring my world and starting to enjoy simple pretend play, like pretending to talk on the phone

My parents might want to speak to a Health Visitor or GP if:

• I’m not doing some of the things a younger child would (see previous age boxes)
• I don’t show enjoyment of being with a familiar adult
• I don’t look towards familiar people or objects when their names are said
• I don’t bring objects to an adult to show or to share.
• I don’t follow simple instructions
• I don’t look for or go to a familiar adult for comfort when I am scared, upset or hurt.
• I don’t try to show you things by pointing at them and looking back at you.
• I don’t use gestures like nodding or shaking my head, waving, putting my hands out in a ‘where’s it gone?’ gesture.

To contact the 0 to 19 Torbay health visiting team, please call us on 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net