Human beings use language in a uniquely subtle and sophisticated way, suggests Noam Chomsky, the renowned linguist, in "Language and Mind. " A baby's progress is remarkable as he moves from simple crying at birth, to using up to 50 words and two-word phrases at 18 months. Plenty of experience in hearing and trying out language skills helps him get ready for learning at preschool.
Understanding
A baby needs to develop an understanding of language before she can use it. She understands no words at birth. Within her first few weeks, she recognizes the sound of your voice and turns towards it. Within three months, she responds to her own name and shows that she recognizes the word "no," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By 6 months, she recognizes words and phrases she hears often, such as "all gone" and "bye-bye." At one year, she will "come to Mommy," or "look."
Expressive Language
Your baby cries to let you know how he feels. He soon establishes a different cry when he needs feeding to the one he uses when he is cold, or has a wet diaper. He begins to make happy gurgling noises, links these with eye contact with you and starts to laugh. From 3 months, he plays with strings of sounds, called babble, practicing all the sounds he will need for his own speech. He enjoys making a wide range of sounds, but gradually spends more time on those from his native language. At 1 year old he may use his first meaningful words.
Nonverbal Language
Your baby learns that speech is not the only form of language he can use. He develops facial expressions and body language, beginning with a smile at 6 weeks or so. He uses gesture during his first year, waving and shaking his head. Some babies enjoy sign systems, using gestures for "biscuit" or "drink," as hand signs are simpler than the mouth movements needed for the word. The journal "First Language" suggests that you use the spoken word alongside the sign, to encourage both systems.
Considerations
Other skills affect your child's language development. Improving social skills help her want to use language. She relies on motor skills to carry out complex muscle movements, synchronizing lips, tongue and breathing with her vocal cords. Her intellectual development, particularly memory, helps her remember words long enough to extract their meaning and copy their sound sequences.
Stimulation
Babies need stimulation to develop language. According to Heather Stewart, A Neuroscience for Kids Consultant University of Washington, feral children who grow up without normal human contact may never learn useful language skills. Play with your baby, name members of the family, count her toes in the bath, talk about objects she uses, sing nursery rhymes and look at picture books with her, to give her language skills a good foundation.
References
- "Language and Mind: 3rd Edition"; Noam Chomsky; 2006
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Learn the Signs. Act Early
- SAGE Journals Online: First Language; Teaching Gestural Signs to Infants to Advance Child Development: A Review of the Evidence; J Cyne Johnston; 2005; volume 25
- University of Washington: Feral Children
