Baby talk! Encouraging language development in your child.

Raising kids with LOVE ♦ July 30, 2021 ♦ 1 Comment

Talking to your child and using lots of animated facial expressions are important for your child’s language development!

Believe me, hearing the sweet voice of your child say “Ma Ma” or “Da Da” is one of those moments you always remember.  Later, I can remember thinking….”Maybe I should change my name, I am tired of hearing “MO-OMMMM!” Suddenly it was a two syllable word that rocked the house!  Now, I love hearing “Mom” when I get that phone call or one of the kids bursts through the door for a visit!  The fact is, language development in your child is exciting and fun, and early development is important.  Studies show us that the number of words your child hears is proportionate to the size of his or her vocabulary that is developed.  This is through direct spoken words to your child, through conversation or reading, not words heard from the TV or radio, or conversations around your child.  Some experts tell us that a parent should be saying 30,000 words per day to their child.  Wow, that is a lot of talking!  Now I tell you this as a fun fact, not to have you tally mark each word you say to your child!  I don’t want to add another task to your day, or worry to your list!  The 30,000 per day number does send the message home though that talk is important, and as parents we have to work at talking and reading to our children!  In this age of TV, computers, I-Pods and I-Pads, and smart phones; sometimes the spoken word and art of conversation is lost.  As a parent we need to bring that art of truly talking with our children back!

What can we do to foster language development in our children?

• Talk to your child!  When your infant is looking at you or an object…talk to your child!  When your child coos, coo back…this is the start of the art of conversing.  Describe what your baby is seeing.  Talk about what you are doing during the day.  Read stories and talk about the pictures in board books.  Studies show who children that hear 30,000 words a day from birth to age 3 have better language skills at 3 but also have an academic edge still in 3rd grade…no matter the socioeconomic level!  TALK A LOT TO YOUR CHILD!  It can be the great equalizer for academic success!
• Say it again.  This helps a child’s brain connect the sound and the meaning of words.  A 1 year old is able to say most of the sounds to put together words, they just don’t have the word!  Saying things over and over helps a child put those sounds they know into words.
• Always respond to any of those sweet sounds your child makes.  When your baby coos, talk back.  When your child squeals with a favorite toy, talk about how much your child likes that special toy.  When your child babbles and reaches for an item, say what the item is before you give it to your child. Expand on your child’s sweet “words” by simply paying attention to them.
• Take turns with your child.  This teaches conversation!  Blow on your baby’s tummy and wait for that giggle.  Do it again!   Play peek-a-boo and other games that encourage taking turns in conversation…cause and effect.
• Look at your child.  Your child needs to see your face when you are talking.  Your child will look at your mouth to see how words and sounds are formed. When you make raspberries, your baby will make them too!  Your smiles, facial expressions and encouragement gives your child positive reinforcement.  Your child will make those sounds again when you pay attention.
• “Motherese” or “Parents” is good!  The high-pitched sing-song voice most moms use to talk to their baby is good!  Babies like the pitch of this type of talk and the slow pace helps them understand better.  Teach Dad how to do it!
• Give your child the opportunity to talk.  Don’t anticipate every need, allow your child to point and make attempts to ask for what he or she wants. Wait for the gesture or the word and then expand on it!
• Narrate your day.  Talk to your baby as you change a diaper, give a bath, cook a meal.  Describe what you are doing and what your child is doing.  Sit next to your child and narrate his play.  “I see you picked up a red block.  Are you going to build?” “Oh you are rocking your baby.”
• Expand your child’s communication.  When your child says “dog”, you can say “Yes that is a dog!  It is a brown dog!”
• Read.  Reading is a great opportunity to engage with your child.  Your child will learn more words and will develop a love of books.  Hearing the same book over and over helps to make language connections in your child’s brain. Strive for 30 minutes of reading a day.  I love to “read children awake”.  When your little one wakes in the morning or after a nap, take a few minutes to gently wake up with reading.
• Go on field trips!  Take your child to the grocery, the post office, on hikes…talk about what you see!  Watch your child, and see what he or she is interested in or excited about.  Talk about that rock or stick he or she picks up!
• Use music.  Music encourages your child to pronounce words and practice putting sentences together.  Songs also help children remember things…I still can’t put things in alphabetical order without singing my A B C’s!  🙂
• Play language games.  Point and name games like “Where is your nose?” “This is Mommy’s toes, where are your toes?”  Helps your child becomeaware of himself and make language connections, plus it is fun!
• Don’t worry but refer early.  Your child’s brain is a sponge ready for speech development in the first 3 years. There is a wide range of normal with speech development, but early referral is always best. Every day work on providing the opportunities to allow your child’s speech to develop.  If you have questions or concerns, call your pediatrician or call your state’s Early Child Development Program.

Language Milestones from The American Speech – Language – Hearing Association

0-3 Months

• Baby will startle to sound
• Quiets or smiles when you speak to him
• Recognizes your voice
• Smiles at you
• Coos

4-6 Months

• Babbles and uses sounds with p, b and m
• Laughs
• Makes excitement sounds and unhappy sounds
• Makes gurgling sounds
• Likes music

7 Months – 1 Year

• Likes “peek-a-boo”, “patty cake”, “soo big!”
• Uses “speech” not crying to sometimes get your attention.
• Uses gestures like pointing, putting arms up, waving.
• Recognizes words that you say like “cup” and other common words.
• Starts to follow 1 step directions.
• About the first birthday will have about 2 or 3 words like ball, ma ma, da da, dog.

1 Year – 2 Year

• Points to pictures in a book when named.
• Knows animal sounds.
• Points to a few body parts when asked.
• Can say a two word question or sentence by age 2.
• Vocabulary expanding every month.

2 Year – 3 Year

• Follows two step directions.
• Has a word for almost everything.
• Is understood most of the time by those with him often.
• Speaks in 2 to 3 word sentences.
• Starting to understand concepts like big and little, up and down, in and on.

When do you refer?

• A baby who doesn’t respond to sound or who doesn’t make vocal sound.
• A child who does not point, or wave “bye bye” at 12 months.
• A child at 18 months who uses gestures over words to communicate.
• A child at age 2 or older who only imitates speech and does not speak spontaneously.
• A child at age 2 who can’t follow simple 1 or 2 step directions.
• A child at age 2 who parents are unable to understand at least 1/2 of the child’s speech, or a 3 year old child that a parent cannot understand 3/4 of the child’s speech.
• A 4 year old child who is not understandable by others.
• Don’t sit and worry….refer early.  Most speech referrals are made between 15 months and 2 years of age.

Remember, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are like little language sponges.  Talk, talk, talk, and turn that TV off!  Your child will soon be yelling “MO-OMMMMM!”….be careful what you wish for!!  🙂

Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.

Cindy