Entering school marks an important period of speech and language development in children. The average kindergartner comprehends about 2,500 words. By fifth grade, he may comprehend 40,000 words. A child's environment is a crucial component of speech development and language mastery. Parents and caregivers can nurture these skills in several ways.
Role of Language
Language is composed not only of verbal speech, but also of written and non-verbal communication, including gestures, facial expression and body language. All of these serve to communicate with others. Communication is a crucial aspect of socialization. Children use language to fulfill their needs and wants, express opinions, ask questions and describe experiences. By fostering a child's language development, you help her build a strong foundation for learning and growth in all areas.
Time Frame and Features
By the time children enter kindergarten at age 5 or 6, they should be able to speak intelligibly. The average 5-year-old has a vocabulary of between 5,000 and 8,000 words and uses sentences averaging five to seven words. According to the Child Development Institute, most 5-year-olds can pronounce all vowel sounds and most consonant sounds. They will have mastered the remaining consonant sounds by about age 7. Most 7-year-olds can relate stories based on images and understand opposite analogies such as fast-slow. By 8 years, most children should be able to read, write and use complex and compound sentences fluently in speech.
Developmental Delays
Children may experience speech delays for a variety of reasons. Because hearing is such as crucial component of language acquisition, hearing impairment often causes speech delays. Aggressive behavior, temper tantrums, clowning and backtalk may indicate a speech delay; these behaviors are often signs of a child's frustration at his inability to express himself. A pediatrician can evaluate a child's speech and hearing and make referrals if necessary.
Considerations
Children develop at different rates. Most developmental milestone charts represent average achievement. A child who has not reached particular milestones by the expected age does not necessarily have developmental delays. As the State Education Resource Center warns, a "child's speech and language skills must be viewed relative to the cultural norms of the community."
Supporting Language Development
Parental vocabulary and communication skills are one of the most important predictors of a child's linguistic abilities. Parents and educators can continue to support language development in older children by creating opportunities for learning. The Dr. Spock website recommends playing word games with your child, such as everyday rhyming and singing songs. Taking turns reading aloud is another opportunity for you to model more sophisticated language components, such as cadence. You can also visit new places, such as museums and zoos, or include your child in your interests to create linguistic learning scenarios.
References
- State Education Resource Center: Typical Speech and Language Development -- A Checklist for School Nurses
- Teaching Research Institute: Nurturing Language Development
- Child Development Institute: Language Development Chart
- MedLine Plus: School-Age Children Development
- Dr. Spock: How to Nurture Language Development--School-Age Children
