Speech and Language Development in Children

Speech and language development are some of the most crucial parts of a child's overall development. It determines the capability of an infant to communicate with the outside world. It also facilitates your child's ability to speak and express his feelings, to understand and exchange information in a meaningful way with others.

Crucial developmental period

The most intensive period in a child's life is considered to be the first three years to develop speech and language skills. It is at this time when the brain is maturing and growing that these skills develop the most. During this period the child's brain is best in absorbing any language. You must provide him/her with good exposure to sounds, sights and continuous interaction with others speaking.

Parent's role

Parents play a prominent role in helping their little ones develop the skill of speaking. From the beginning, you can respond to small sounds and gestures that your baby makes. Introduce him to the world around, the creatures, sounds and all that you see and touch.

Engage your child in conversation

Whenever your baby says something, keep adding on to it. Keep talking to your baby whenever you are with him. Asking him questions would prompt the child to speak and you need to listen to the answer patiently. You need to engage him listening to your stories, poems or rhymes. Make your child get familiar with your language. Encourage him to speak and mingle with others.

Age-appropriate milestone

You can identify children with difficulties and their speaking habits at certain points of time.

For this, you must be aware of the time by which your child should start interactions in various forms depending on his/her age.

By the end of 3 months

• Make cooing sounds
• Recognizes your face
• Smiles when you appear
• Cries differently for different needs

By the end of 6 months

• Responds to changes in tone of your voice
• Pays attention to music
• Makes varieties of sounds and babble
• Moves their eyes in the direction of sounds
• Identifies the sounds of toys

By the end of 12 months

• Tries imitating speech sounds
• Start saying a few words like Amma, Dada etc.
• Understands simple instructions like come here

By the end of 18 months

• Though non verbally, answers simple questions
• Recognize the names and faces of familiar people and body parts
• Tries imitating simple words

By the end of 24 months

• Combining words like more milk, go tata, etc
• Speak well enough to be understood by at least parents
• Begins to use pronouns like mine

By the end of 3 years

• Answers simple questions
• Speech becomes more accurate but strangers might not be able to understand what they speak completely
• Uses descriptive words like 'big', 'happy', 'small'
• Uses questions to ask for something such as 'my ball?'
• Asks a lot of questions

By 4 years he must be able to describe events as they have happened and can tell a simple story all by himself.

By the age of 2 or 3, if your child doesn't start speaking, it should be taken seriously.

When to check with the doctor

If a child’s speech or language appears to be delayed, immediate measures have to be taken.

Approach a speech-language pathologist and share your concern about your child's communication skills. The doctor will evaluate your child based on hearing tests and special spoken tests. Depending on the test reports, doctors will suggest activities to be performed at home to stimulate the development of a child's speech.

Always keep in mind that your little one is always keenly listening to you and is going to speak by imitating you. Talk to your child whenever you are with them. These techniques can encourage your child's speech and language development.