What Counts as a Word?

How do you know if you can count what your child says as a “word”?
Something your child says that is…

1. Used intentionally (e.g., saying “Mama” when they see you enter the room)
2. Used independently (e.g., saying “water” without being prompted)
   
3. Used consistently (e.g., saying “ball” on multiple occasions)
4. Mispronounced (e.g., saying “da” for “dog”)

 
Answer: #1 AND #2 AND #3
(#4 is ok too!)
A word is anything your child says intentionally, independently AND consistently (this includes signs!). You can count animal sounds (e.g., “moo”) and words like “uh oh” as long as they meet these criteria. Don’t worry about pronunciation when your child is just starting to use words.
Remember, word count is just one aspect of language development. If you have concerns about your child's speech and language skills, call for a free phone consultation.