Being a mother, each step I take there is always a worry attached. It is very common to see toddlers in the age group of 24-36 months not talking. Speech Delay is very common.Why does this happen? Do we encourage this? How can we help our Children in Language development?
Talking and understanding speech go together. By listening to others, our child learns what words sound like and how to put a sentence together.
As a baby, she learned first how to make sounds, then how to move those sounds into real words (“mama” and “dada” may have slipped out as early as 4 or 5 months). By the time she was a year old, she was trying to imitate the sounds around her (though you probably heard her babbling away in a language that only she could understand).The singing seems amazing and it just makes sense to them.
What’s normal for Speech Delay
Though speech develops pretty much the same way for all children, the pace can vary considerably from child to child. As a rule of thumb, children should be able to say one word at about 1, two-word combinations at 18 months to 2 years and three-word sentences before turning 3. When speech specialists evaluate speech delay, they care as much about a child’s understanding as they do about how much he speaks. For instance, although a typical 18-month-old can say 50 to 100 words, he can understand far more. Making gestures and following directions indicate that your child is understanding and communicating, and there’s likely little reason to worry. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers a detailed chart of language development. Reference: Parenting.com
Development of Language
Every child is different.If one starts to walk early the other talks late or vice versa.
Children pick up language in steps, and kids may go up the steps at a different time.Bilingual household, please allow your children to pick up one language first and then gain the command on the other.The best way would me mum talking in English and Dad talking in mother tongue language.
It is all about building confidence. Once they gain confidence there is no looking back and they will utter what would be amazing to you!
Angie: Mama Kiss me! please!
Angie: Dada Kiss me! Please!
Angie: Dada Kiss mama! Please!
From babbling to constructing a word to a two-word phrase and finally a sentence.It is not that easy as it sounds.These little ones need to hear words coming out from our mouth.
- Two-way communication is the word.
- Give choices. You want Mango Juice or Coconut Water.
- Encourage Yes and No.
- Tell them to use your words.
- Slow down, give them a chance wait for at least 10 seconds before you repeat the question.
- Have basic toys for interaction.
- Get down at their level.
- Narrate short stories.
- Use simple language.
- Construct Short Sentences.
- Use Picture books to encourage literacy skills.
- Spend time in the backyard.
- Take them out for a train ride.
- Playgroups bring lots of socialization.
- Do not stress.
- Help them paint.
- Say no to TV’s, Cellphones and pads.
- Say no artificial ways of entertainment.
In the nutshell, buy following simple steps I think we can help children with Speech Delay and make the world a better place to live in.
Written by: Chandni Handa
Do you want us to inform you? Sign up on our website. We give you a glance at all of the awesome, upcoming, family-friendly and kids events and activities scheduled in Edmonton.