Language development is an exciting journey that begins from birth. For parents, understanding this process and knowing how to support it can be incredibly rewarding. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key milestones in early language development, when children typically start to talk, and fun activities you can do to aid their language growth.
When do Children Start to Talk?
Children’s language development varies, but there are general milestones that most children reach around the same age. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:
Birth to 6 Months: Even from birth, babies are listening to the sounds around them. They start to coo and make gurgling sounds. By around 4 months they begin to babble and experimenting with different sounds. At this age you can teach your baby the basic structure of a conversation. You do this by talking to your baby, allowing them time to babble a response back and responding to them.
6 to 12 Months: During this period, babies start to babble more purposefully, making sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da.” They also begin to understand simple words like “no” and “bye-bye” and may respond to their name. This is the stage where babies are putting meaning to words, therefore it is important that you are talking to them and narrating what you are doing. By exposing your child to routine and repetition at this age you are giving them a greater understanding of the words and actions that you are using on a daily basis.
12 to 18 Months: Around their first birthday, many children say their first words. By 18 months, they typically have a vocabulary of about 10-20 words and can follow simple instructions. This is where we can use flash cards, toys or books to encourage language development. Using multiple disciplines when teaching new words help children retain them better. For example, when learning the names of the animals, in the house we could read a book about the animals, point to the pictures and name the animals, do the sound it makes and assign an action to it and sing “old Mac Donald”. To carry on this learning, we could then point out the animals in the fields when we are out and play the music or sing the song in the car. If this topic is something your child is particularly enjoying, you could even visit a farm. This repetition and immersive learning is a great way to help your children learn and retain new information.
18 to 24 Months: Vocabulary growth accelerates, and children start combining two words to form simple sentences like “more milk” or “big truck.” They also begin to understand more complex instructions. Continue to encourage your child to add descriptive words to the nouns that they already know and understand.
2 to 3 Years: During this stage, children’s vocabulary expands rapidly, and they start forming longer sentences. They can express their needs, ask questions, and engage in simple conversations. Patients is key at this stage. Your child has learned that they can get what they want by using very few words. In addition, by now parents may know what their children wants without them even asking. Now that your child’s understanding is becoming more complex you should be encouraging your child to use full sentences when asking for something. E.G. “Can I have a drink please?” instead of just “drink” or “more”. This can be frustrating for both parent and child in the beginning, but in the long run your child will become well spoken and mannerly.
How to Aid Your Child’s Language Development
Supporting your child’s language development doesn’t require special tools or training. Here are some simple yet effective ways to help your child develop their language skills:
Talk to Your Child: Engage in conversations with your child throughout the day. Describe what you’re doing, name objects, and ask questions. This helps them learn new words and understand how language works. No word is too big or complex for a child to learn. With the proper explanation and examples children can be thought to understand a lot more than you would think. Instead of simplifying your language, explain it.
Read Together: Reading to your child is one of the best ways to boost language development. Choose age-appropriate books with colourful pictures and simple text. Ensure that the books you are reading are engaging and fun for your child. Encourage your child to point to pictures and repeat words.
Sing Songs and Nursery Rhymes: Songs and rhymes are great for language development because they introduce rhythm, repetition, and new vocabulary. Plus, they’re fun and engaging for young children.
Play with Your Child: Playtime is a fantastic opportunity for language learning. Use toys, games, and roleplay to introduce new words and concepts. For example, while playing with a toy kitchen, you can name different foods and utensils.
Listen and Respond: Pay attention to your child’s attempts to communicate, give them time to finish and respond positively. This encourages them to keep trying and helps them understand the give-and-take nature of conversations.
Fun Activities to Support Language Development
Incorporating language-rich activities into your daily routine can make learning fun for your child. Here are some ideas:
Storytelling: Encourage your child to tell you stories, even if they’re simple or nonsensical. This helps them practice using language creatively. Making up stories with your child and asking lots of questions about those stories will encourage your child to talk and will help develop their creative and imaginative sides.
Word Games: Play games like “I Spy” or “20 Questions” to help your child learn new words and practice their observation and deductive skills.
Interactive Play: Use toys that encourage interaction, such as puppets or dolls. Create dialogues and scenarios that involve speaking and listening.
Early language development is a crucial part of your child’s growth, and as a parent, you play a vital role in supporting this process. By engaging in conversations, reading together, and incorporating fun activities into your daily routine, you can help your child develop strong language skills that will benefit them for years to come. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so be patient and enjoy the journey of watching your child’s language blossom.
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