During the first 5 years brains has high plasticity. This is the period for acquiring speech and language skills. Children who get exposure to the environment that is rich with sounds, places and also to the speech and language of others will develop good language skills. In early years brain works at its best to absorb language so all we need to do is providing right exposure to the language if not it will be more difficult in later years.
Speech: Using right sounds and exact pitch with accurate rhythm.
Language: Putting the words together to share our ideas and get what we want.
0 – 6 months:
- Reacts to loud sounds
- Has a special way of crying for different needs
- Pays attention to music
- Makes gurgling sounds when alone or playing with you
7 – 12 months:
- Makes gurgling sounds when alone or playing with you
- Responds to requests (“Come here”)
- Communicates using gestures such as waving or holding up arms
- Has one or two words by first birthday.
- Imitates different speech sounds
1 – 2 Yrs.:
- Child uses words when they are participating in an activity.
Ex: Says “train” when playing with A toy train may not use the same word when child in a train.
- Gradually verbal communication becomes more consistent. Talks about present not about already happened situations.
- Use “my” words my toy, my dress etc.
- Imitate animal sounds. Name items on request.
- Understands prepositions such as, in, on, under etc.
- Names objects to ask for them or to direct attention to them
- Uses short sentences to describe actions by using verbs (run, walk)
3 – 4 Yrs.:
- Starts using “wh” questions (who, what, where, why) but may not focus on the answer.
- Talk about what they are doing.
- Understands past and present so starts using past tense.
- Identifies similarities & differences that leads to significant increase in descriptive vocabulary. Ex: Doll is sleeping or hungry, crying for mama etc.
- Hears you when you call from another room
4 – 5 Yrs.:
- Communicates easily with other children and adults
- Uses grammar.
- Pays attention to a short stories and tells stories that stay on topic
- Says most sounds correctly except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th)
How to motivate?
Instead of correcting their pronunciation restate the words with right pronunciation.
Avoid too many negatives. Instead of using “no, don’t” tell what you are expecting.
Encourage to talk by extending the topic.
Toddlers can understand your feelings so express your joy while talking.
Slow down the speed of your speech.