Understanding names of things: how the skill grows from 12 to 24 months
Understanding names of things means knowing what familiar words point to: looking at, reaching for or fetching something when you name it. Understanding usually runs well ahead of speaking, so it is the first place new words show up.
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Understanding names of things: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Looks at a named thing. Looks at the ball when you ask "Where's the ball?"
Activities that fit this step
- Photo Wall Hello Kisses · 12–20 months · 3–6 min
- Photo Wall Flap Hunt · 13–22 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy Needs Help · 14–21 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Finds named people. Turns to a grandparent or sibling when you say their name.
Activities that fit this step
- Photo Wall Flap Hunt · 13–22 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy Needs Help · 14–21 months · 5–10 min
- Shopping Cart Spotter · 17–28 months · 5–15 min
Next step: Fetches on request. Brings a shoe or a cup when you name it, even from the next room.
Activities that fit this step
- Shopping Cart Spotter · 17–28 months · 5–15 min
- Tote Bag Fetch Mission · 17–28 months · 5–10 min
- Laundry Basket Sock Hunt · 18–28 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Understands in new places. Finds a named thing in an unfamiliar book, shop or friend's home.
Activities that fit this step
- Laundry Basket Sock Hunt · 18–28 months · 5–12 min
- Where's the Dog? Book Hunt · 18–30 months · 5–12 min
- Name-and-Roll Family Circle · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
Top of the ladder (understands in new places). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Where's the Dog? Book Hunt · 18–30 months · 5–12 min
- Name-and-Roll Family Circle · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Two-Step Picnic · 25–34 months · 5–15 min
The understanding names of things ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 12 to 24 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Responds to own name
Turns toward you when you call their name from across the room.
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Looks at a named thing
Looks at the ball when you ask "Where's the ball?"
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Finds named people
Turns to a grandparent or sibling when you say their name.
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Fetches on request
Brings a shoe or a cup when you name it, even from the next room.
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Understands in new places
Finds a named thing in an unfamiliar book, shop or friend's home.
When understanding names of things usually shows up
Looking at a familiar object when you name it is a CDC 15-month milestone. Over the following months most toddlers understand many more words than they can say, including people, foods, toys and places.
This page follows understanding names of things from 12 to 24 months, a window that spans the 12-month, 15-month, 18-month and 24-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 9 activities practise understanding names of things (1 as their main skill), for ages 12 to 34 months. Each needs a few minutes of setup. By age, they sit closest to steps 2, 3 and 5 of the 5-step ladder, most (6) on “Understands in new places”.
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 15 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve understanding names of things. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 15 months | Looks toward a familiar object when you say its name. |
Activities that practise understanding names of things
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 6 language, 2 social-emotional and 1 practical life. Quickest to start: Photo Wall Hello Kisses (3–6 minutes).
Step 2: Looks at a named thing
Step 3: Finds named people
Skills practised alongside
The activities for understanding names of things most often also work on household helping (2), pointing to pictures (2), first words (1), following directions with gestures (1) and following one-step directions (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Name what your child is already looking at, not only what you want them to look at.
- Use the same word for the same thing each time while the word is new.
- In routines, name familiar objects in short phrases: "Cup. Your blue cup."
- Ask once, then wait several seconds before pointing to help.
What to avoid
- Long rounds of "Where's the...?" testing; slip names into play and routines instead.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If by about 15 months your child does not look at familiar things when you name them, or does not respond to their own name, mention it to the pediatrician and ask whether a hearing check makes sense.
Worried about understanding names of things between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start understanding names of things?
Looking at a familiar object when you name it is a CDC 15-month milestone. Over the following months most toddlers understand many more words than they can say, including people, foods, toys and places. The first step to look for: turns toward you when you call their name from across the room.
How can I help my toddler with understanding names of things?
Name what your child is already looking at, not only what you want them to look at. Use the same word for the same thing each time while the word is new. A good first activity is Photo Wall Hello Kisses (12–20 months).
What should I avoid when practising understanding names of things?
Long rounds of "Where's the...?" testing; slip names into play and routines instead.
When should I mention understanding names of things to the pediatrician?
If by about 15 months your child does not look at familiar things when you name them, or does not respond to their own name, mention it to the pediatrician and ask whether a hearing check makes sense. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.