For a caregiver, the best moments in a child’s growth and development are often the beginning of speech, the first word or the first communicative gesture. Language development is one of the developmental milestones parents cherish most, as they are able to decipher their child’s needs and wishes more accurately.
What is Language?
Language is an instrument that humans use to exchange thoughts, ideas or emotions, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Language does not have to be spoken, but can also be signed or written, and sometimes communication can occur between people through eye blinks or electronic sounds. Language milestones do exist to help decide whether a child is developing adequately, though every child learns differently and at different rates. If you are afraid that your child has a developmental delay, contact your family physician for advice.
Birth to 24 Months
In the first few months after your child is born, the Mayo Clinic says you will begin to notice him make “cooing” noises, and his cry will sound different when he needs a diaper change than when he needs to be fed or just wants to snuggle. At 3 months, he will be able to know your voice and will listen to your speech patterns as you talk. By 6 months, your baby will begin making one-syllable words and a “dada” or “mama” may slip out, though he doesn’t associate the sounds with you just yet. He will move his eyes towards sound and will listen to music. A year into his life, he will begin saying words and will understand simple commands. By 24 months, you will hear him say around 50 simple words and even phrases, such as “more milk,” and his speech may be difficult for you to decipher.
24 Months to Kindergarten
From the time your baby begins asking for milk and listening to directions, to the time she steps foot in kindergarten, you will be amazed at the progress. Most people will now understand your child, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She will be able to answer questions, talk about events, have conversations and follow along with stories being read. Part of her language skills will now include writing and reading. She will understand books, identify rhyming sounds and recognize letters. Though she won’t yet be able to read most words, she will be able to tell the story based upon pictures and word recognition.
Kindergarten to Fifth Grade
As your child progresses through elementary school and finishes up the third grade, he will be using new subject-focused vocabulary, summarize stories, participate in conversations and will even explain lessons he has learned. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, one of the most incredible advances your child will make halfway through grammar school is the ability to write, read, revise and edit. In just these few short years, your child will develop the ability to read books and even pick out errors in the writing. By fifth grade, your child will listen to others, to a story or to opinions and make conclusions about what is communicated. He can also pick up the meaning of unfamiliar words through looking at the root word or textual context. Important in his future scholarly work, he will be able to use references to support his claims.
Activities
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association suggests that between your child’s birth and her 24th month, talking to her, encouraging her to make sounds, counting, reading to her and using gestures to communicate ideas can help her language development. As she ages, you can use proper and clear speech to communicate with her, sing simple songs and teach her simple vocabulary words. From 4 to 6, encourage your child to converse with you by pausing and looking expectant after you speak. Play house games and talk about television and books. Ask questions that make her think about what she wants to communicate. Always encourage your child to develop further by asking questions, helping with homework, encouraging dialogue and speaking as an adult.
Delayed Development
Warning signs of a language development problem, according to children’s health website Kids Health, include a child between 1 and 2 years of age who does not use gestures to communicate, such as waving or pointing. A child with a developmental delay may also have trouble imitating sounds or have difficulty understanding requests. After age 2, if your child can imitate words but not produce them or can only say one or two words repeatedly, it is time to speak with a healthcare advisor.
References
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Speech and Language
- Mayo Clinic: Infant Development—Speech Milestones from Birth to 24 Months
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Your Child's Communication Development: Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade
- American S-L-H Association: Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development
- Kids Health: Delayed Speech or Language Development
