Parentoom is an AI-powered parenting platform that creates a dedicated AI agent for each child. It tracks school, health, homework, meals, activities and more, remembering everything about your child.

How much does Parentoom cost?

Parentoom offers a free tier with 15 questions per month for 1 child. Plus membership at ₹249/month or ₹2,499/year unlocks unlimited questions, WhatsApp access, morning briefings and more.

Is my child data safe with Parentoom?

Yes. Parentoom uses AES-256 encryption and is compliant with India DPDP Act. You can export or delete your data anytime.

Does Parentoom work with Indian schools?

Yes. Parentoom automatically syncs school emails and supports CBSE, ICSE, and State board schools across India.

Speech Development: A Month-by-Month Guide for Parents

## What's Normal: Month by Month ### Birth to 3 Months - Startles at loud sounds - Calms or smiles at your voice - Coos and makes pleasure sounds - Has different cries for different needs ### 4-6 Months - Follows sounds with their eyes - Babbles with speech-like sounds (ba, da, ma) - Laughs and squeals - Responds to changes in your tone of voice ### 7-12 Months - Babbles with longer strings of sounds (bababa, mamama) - Uses gestures (waving, pointing, reaching) - Recognizes names of common objects ("Where's the ball?") - Responds to simple requests ("Come here") - First words typically appear around 12 months (mama, dada, bye-bye) - May have 1-3 words by first birthday ### 12-18 Months - Vocabulary grows slowly at first: 3-20 words - Points to things they want - Uses single words with gestures to communicate - Follows simple directions ("Give me the cup") - Understands far more than they can say ### 18-24 Months - **Vocabulary explosion** — typically 50+ words by age 2 - Starts combining two words: "more milk," "daddy go," "big dog" - Names familiar objects and pictures - About 50% of speech understandable to strangers ### 2-3 Years - Uses 200-300 words - 2-3 word sentences become common - Asks simple questions ("What that?") - About 75% intelligible to strangers - Starts using pronouns (me, I, you) - Follows two-step instructions ("Pick up the ball and give it to me") ### 3-4 Years - Uses 4-5 word sentences - Tells simple stories - 75-100% intelligible to strangers - Asks "why?" frequently - Uses basic grammar (past tense, plurals) - Can be understood by unfamiliar adults most of the time ### 4-5 Years - Speaks in complete sentences - Tells detailed stories - Uses future tense - Understands most of what's said to them - Speech is clear and fully intelligible ## Red Flags: When to Get an Assessment ### By 12 months - No babbling at all - No gestures (pointing, waving) - No response to their name - No response to familiar words ### By 18 months - No single words - Doesn't point to show you things - Doesn't seem to understand simple words - Lost previously acquired words ### By 24 months - Fewer than 50 words - No two-word combinations - Less than 50% intelligible to parents - Not following simple instructions - Doesn't point to pictures in books when named ### By 3 years - Less than 75% intelligible to familiar adults - Not using 2-3 word sentences regularly - Doesn't understand simple questions - Difficulty playing with other children due to communication ### At any age - Loss of previously acquired language skills (regression) - Not making eye contact during communication - Seeming frustrated by inability to communicate - Stuttering that is causing distress (developmental stuttering between 2-4 is common and usually resolves) **"Wait and see" is rarely good advice for speech concerns.** Early intervention is significantly more effective than later intervention. If you're worried, get assessed — there's no harm in an evaluation that shows everything is fine. ## What Helps Speech Development ### 1. Talk to Your Child — A Lot Narrate your day: "Now I'm cutting the apple. Look, it's red inside." Children who hear more words develop larger vocabularies. This isn't about flashcards or formal teaching — it's about immersing them in language. ### 2. Follow Their Interest When your child looks at the dog, talk about the dog. When they reach for a ball, name it. Language linked to the child's focus is learned faster than words introduced out of context. ### 3. Read Together Daily Reading introduces vocabulary children don't hear in daily conversation. Board books, picture books, and eventually stories — all build language. Ask questions. Point at pictures. Let them turn pages. ### 4. Expand, Don't Correct When your child says "doggy go," don't say "No, say 'the dog is going.'" Instead, expand naturally: "Yes! The doggy is going for a walk!" This models correct grammar without discouraging communication. ### 5. Wait and Listen After asking a question, pause. Give your child time to formulate a response. Many parents jump in too quickly, reducing the child's need to speak. ### 6. Reduce Screen Time for Under-2s Children learn language from live human interaction, not screens. Screen-based "educational" programs for babies do not improve language development — some studies suggest they may slow it. ### 7. Sing Songs and Rhymes Nursery rhymes teach rhythm, rhyme, and sound patterns — all building blocks for speech and later reading. Repetitive songs are especially helpful because children can predict and join in. ## Types of Speech and Language Support If an assessment identifies a delay, support may include: - **Speech therapy:** Working with a speech-language pathologist on specific sounds, vocabulary, or sentence structure - **Parent coaching:** Teaching parents strategies to use at home daily — often the most effective intervention for young children - **Play-based therapy:** Using play to build communication skills naturally Early intervention programs are available for children under 3 in most countries. School-age children can receive speech therapy through their school.