MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories
Child's name: Gender:
Birthdate: Today's date:
Words and Gestures
Larry Fenson, Ph.D. Virginia A. Marchman, Ph. D.
Donna J. Thal, Ph. D. Phillip S. Dale, Ph. D.
J. Steven Reznick, Ph. D. Elizabeth Bates, Ph. D.
Part 1: Early Words
A. First Signs of Understanding Before children begin to speak, they show signs of understanding language by responding to familiar words and phrases. Below are some common examples. Does your child do any of these?
1. Respond when name is called (e.g., by turning and looking at source).
2. Respond to "no no" (by stopping what he/she is doing, at least for a moment).
3. React to "there's mommy/daddy" by looking around for them.
B. Phrases (28) In the list below, please mark the phrases that your child seems to understand.
Are you Hungry? Daddy's/Mommy's home. Give me a kiss. Sit down.
Are you tired/sleepy? Do you want more? Go get _____. Spit it out.
Be careful. Don't do that. Good girl/boy. Stop it.
Be quiet. Don't touch. Hold still. Time to go night night.
Clap your hands. Get up. Let's go bye bye. Throw the ball.
Change diaper. Give it to mommy. Look/look here. This little piggy.
Come here/come on. Give me a hug. Open your mouth. Want to go for a ride?
C. Starting to Talk 1. Some children like to "parrot" or imitate things that they've just heard (including new words that they are just learning, and/or parts of sentences, for example, repeating "work now" after mother says "Mommy's going to work now.") How often does your child imitate words?
Never Sometimes Often
2. Some children like to go around naming or labeling things, as though proud of knowing the names and wanting to show this. how often does your child do this?
Never Sometimes Often
D. Vocabulary Checklist The following is a list of typical words in young children's vocabularies. For words your child understands but does not yet say, place a mark in the first column (understands). For words that you child not only understands but also uses, place a mark in the second column (understands and says). If your child uses a different pronunciation of a word (for example, "raffe" for "giraffe" or "sketti" for "spaghetti"), mark the word anyway. Remember, this is a "catalogue" of words that are used by many different children. Don't worry if your child knows only a few right now. 1. Sound Effects and Animal Sounds (12)
Understands
baa baa ouch vroomgrrr
choo choo meow quack quack woof woof
co*ckadoodledoo moo uh oh yum yum
Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
2. Animal Names (Real or Toy) (36)
animal cow goose pig
bear deer horse pony
bee dog kitty puppy
bird donkey lamb sheep
bug duck lion squirrel
bunny elephant monkey teddy bear
butterfly fish mouse tiger
cat frog owl turkey
chicken giraffe penguin turtle
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
3. Vehicles (Real or Toy) (9)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands Understands and says
airplane car stroller
bicycle firetruck train
bus motorcycle truck
4. Toys (8)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
ball block bubbles pen
balloon book doll toy
5. Food and Drink (30)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands Understands and says
apple cheerios fish peas
banana cheese food pizza
bread chicken ice cream raisin
butter coffee juice spaghetti
cake cookie meat toast
candy cracker milk water
carrots drink noodles
cereal egg orange
6. Clothing (19)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
beads diaper necklace shorts
bib dress pajamas sock
boots hat pants sweater
button jacket shirt zipper
coat jeans shoe
7. Body Parts (20)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
arm face head owie/boo boo
belly button foot knee tooth
cheek finger leg toe
ear hair mouth tongue
eye hand nose tummy
8. Furniture and Rooms (24)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
bathroom crib living room sink
bathtub door oven stairs
bed drawer play pen stove
bedroom garage potty table
chair high chair refridgerator TV
couch kitchen rocking chair window
9. Small Household Items (36)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
blanket dish money scissors
bottle fork paper soap
bowl glass penny spoon
box glasses picture telephone
broom hammer pillow toothbrush
brush keys plant towel
clock lamp plate trash
comb light purse vacuum
cup medicine radio watch
10. Outside Things and Places to Go (27)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
swingshoveloutsidebeach
sunschoolmoonbackyard
waterslidepartyflower
treeskyparkchurch
zoostarrainhome
worksnowpoolgarden
storerockhouse
*or word used in your family
11. People (20)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
personladychildbaby
peoplegrandpa*brotheraunt
teachermommy*girlbabysitter's name
sistermandaddy*babysitter
unclegrandma*boychild's own name
*or word used in your family
12. Games and Routines (19)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
nodon'twanna/want tobreakfast
napyespatty cakebath
waithinight nightdinner
pleasehellopeekaboobye or byebye
lunchthank youshh/shush/hush
13. Action Words (55)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
falldrawcleanblow
eatdancebumpbite
finishdrivecrybring
feeddrinkclosebreak
throwseelovegive
takesaylookget
touchsingplayhelp
tickleshowopengo
Continued...
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
walksmilepushhug
watchsleeppullhit
wipestopreadjump
washsplashputhurry
swingrunkiss
writeswimridekick
14. Words About Time (8)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
tonighttodaynightlater
tomorrownowmorningday
15. Descriptive Words (37)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
sleepyhungrydirtyasleep
sickhotdarkall gone
thirstylittleemptybig
softhurtdrybad
wetnicefinebroken
tirednaughtyfastblue
prettygoodclean
yuckyoldgentlecareful
scaredhardcute
redhappycold
16. Pronouns (11)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
yourthatmeher
youmyithis
thismineI
17. Question Words (6)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
Understands
whywherewhat
whowhenhow
18. Prepositions and Locations (11)
Understands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands and says
UnderstandsUnderstands Understands and says
Understands and says
Understands
upoutinsideback
underoninaway
thereoffdown
19. Quantifiers (8)
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
Understands Understands and says
someothernoneanother
samenotmoreall
Part II: Actions and GesturesA. First Communicative Gestures When infants are first learning to communicate, they often use gestures to make their wishes known. For each item below, mark the line that describes your child's actions right now.
Not Yet Sometimes Often
1. Extends arm to show you something he/she is holding.
2. Reaches out and gives you a toy or some object that he/she is holding.3. Points (with arm and index finger extended) at some interesting object or event.4. Waves bye-bye on his/her own when someone leaves.
5. Extends his/her arm upward to signal a wish to be picked up.
6. Shakes head "no".
7. Nods head "yes".
8. Gestures "hush" by placing finger to lips.
9. Requests something by extending arm and opening and closing hand.10. Blows kisses from a distance.
11. Smacks lips in a "yum yum" gesture to indicate something tastes good.12. Shrugs to indicate "all gone" or "where'd it go".
B. Games and Routines Does your child do any of the following?
1. Play peekaboo.
2. Play patty cake.
3. Play "so big".
4. Play chasing games.
5. Sing.
6. Dance.
Yes No
C. Actions with Objects Does your child do or try to do any of the following?
1. Eat with a spoon or fork.
Yes No
2. Drink from a cup containing liquid.
3. Comb or brush own hair.
4. Brush teeth.
5. Wipe face or hands with a towel or cloth.
6. Put on hat.
7. Put on a shoe or sock.
8. Put on a necklace, bracelet, or watch.
9. Lay head on hands and squeeze eyes shut as if sleeping.
10. Blow to indicate something is hot.
11. Hold plane and make it "fly".
12. Put telephone to ear.
13. Sniff flowers.
14. Push toy car or truck.
15. Throw a ball.
16. Pour pretend liquid from one container to another.
17. Stir pretend liquid in a cup or pan with a spoon.
D. Pretending to be a Parent Here are some things that young children sometimes do with stuffed animals or dolls. Please mark the actions that you have seen your child do.
1. Put to bed
Yes No
2. Cover with blanket
3. Feed with bottle
4. Feed with spoon.
5. Brush/comb its hair.
6. Pat or burp it.
7. Push in stroller/buggy.
8. Rock it.
9. Kiss or hug it.
10. Try to put shoe or sock or hat on it.
11. Wipe its face or hands.
12. Talk to it.
13. Try to put diaper on it.
E. Imitating Other Adult Actions (Using real or toy implements) Does your child do or try to do any of the following?
1. Sweep with broom or mop.
Yes No
2. Put key in door or lock.
3. Pound with hammer or mallet.
4. Attempt to use saw.
5. "Type" at a typewriter or computer keyboard.
6. "Read" (opens book, turns pages).
7. Vacuum.
8. Water plants.
9. Play musical instrument (e.g., piano, trumpet).
10. "Drive" car by turning steering wheel.
11. Wash dishes.
12. Clean with cloth or duster.
13. Write with a pen, pencil or marker.
14. Dig with a shovel.
15. Put on glasses.