Language development and speech acquisition often occur later for male toddlers than for female toddlers, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the National Literacy Trust. Disparity in reaching developmental milestones and physiological issues comprise some of the influential factors behind language development in male toddlers.
Types of Language Development
The two main areas of language development are receptive language and expressive language. Receptive language encompasses the ability to hear and comprehend spoken words, as well as to discern the implied tone or emotion accompanying the words. Conversely, expressive language is the ability to speak and use words appropriately, both for context and for their logical or emotional contribution to any situation.
Identification
One of the main contributing factors of delayed communication skills relates to brain development, with generalization that females are predominantly "left-brained," while males are more "right-brained." Recent research conducted by neurologist John Geake suggests that although both hemispheres of the brain entail language activity, the left hemisphere manages grammar and speech while the right hemisphere oversees actions, feelings and meanings of words. However, due to the effects of testosterone (such as restlessness and distraction) on the male child's right brain hemisphere, his left brain hemisphere becomes inhibited, thus delaying his acquisition of speech and language skills.
The differential attainment of other developmental milestones may also contribute to delayed language acquisition for male toddlers. Young boys tend to have more difficulty managing their voices (volume and pitch) as well as listening and processing speech. These tendencies in turn affect the male toddler's ability to increase his vocabulary and express himself appropriately.
Misconceptions
The ASHA emphasizes that delayed language development is not necessarily cause for alarm, as each child progresses at his own pace. Some boys are merely "late bloomers" who eventually demonstrate typical language development. For instance, a toddler normally acquires the following communication skills between the ages of two and three years old: vocabulary of about 450 words, ability to speak in short sentences, comprehension of the word "no," identification of himself as "me," recognition of some basic concepts such as big and little, and ability to match a few colors. In addition, using gestures rather than words to express himself may be a precursor to delayed expressive language rather than an actual language disorder.
Warning Signs and Recommendations
Some of the warning signs of a language disorder may include the following: inability to articulate clearly or use words appropriately, limited vocabulary, incomplete or no speech, and slow or no reaction to spoken language, which may indicate hearing loss. The University of Michigan Health System advises that some form of speech or language disorder affects as many as one out of ten preschoolers. Seek the advice of your child's pediatrician to rule out physiological causes for your child's language disorder.
Considerations
Parents and caregivers can initiate and facilitate language development by reading books that engage young boys in conversation, which will aid in language development.
Consistent, ongoing discussion about cars or animals, for instance, and one-on-one interaction between a young boy and his parent or caregiver is beneficial in both structured and spontaneous settings. Encouragement and praise over each small victory can yield larger accomplishments that will lay the foundation for successful communication skills later in life.
