Language acquisition in infants and toddlers follows a general timeline, but with wide variations in development. Nemours' KidsHealth recommends discussing any questions regarding language development with the child's pediatrician or other medical provider. Only a professional is able to determine if "a child is just immature in his or her ability to communicate or has a problem that requires professional attention," according to KidsHealth.
Baby's Time Frame
A time frame of language development include noises and babbling over the first few months. Children younger than 1 year of age may say a word, usually common terms referring to mother, father or a sibling. Infants at 12 to 18 months may add common phrases heard around the house, including "hi" or "bye bye," and may also say a single word or a two-word combination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Child Development Institute also notes that infants 6 month old typically respond to angry and friendly tones of language.
Toddler's Time Frame
Toddlers 18 months to two years typically have a working vocabulary of approximately 50 words and can respond by repeating words used by others. Children of this age may jabber when alone, practicing inflections and sounds. Simple phrases and short sentences of three words may be used, indicating an action or need, such as "Baby bye-bye," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Toddlers at 18 months focus on using nouns and also repeat words and phrases, known as echolalia, according to the Child Development Institute.
Considerations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides suggestions for nurturing a child's language skills, including playing games to teach vocabulary, talking to a child to expand general conversation skills, and reading to children from books that include rhymes, songs and poetry. Teaching language skills also involves a significant amount of repetition in reviewing names of objects and people and includes encouraging children by using interactive toys, activities such as scrapbooks, and drawing pictures to use in storytelling. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders advocates fostering "a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to speech and language of others."
Misconception
KidsHealth notes the important difference between speech and language. Speech, according to the health organization, is the "verbal expression of language that includes articulation." Articulation is the way words are formed. Language is a broad term that includes verbal, nonverbal and written forms of communication. Delayed speech acquisition is the term used to describe children who learn language skills at a later age. Their problems may include difficulties in reading, recognizing letters and symbols, pronouncing words, and putting words together as phrases, according to KidsHealth.
Expert Insight
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that the first three months of a child's life encompass the "most intensive period of speech and language development." The organization notes "critical periods" of development for infants and toddlers, beginning in the first few days of life with crying and recognition of sounds. Babies, according to the Institute, recognize basic language sounds at six months.
