As preschool places become ever more sought after. Many parents are discovering a new source of anxiety. Their child may not be speaking clearly by the time they take up their preschool place or enter nursery.
First and foremost. It’s important to know that language development in early years appears to have no bearing on later success. In one substantial study children who were slow to speak at the age of two had caught up with their peers in all areas of development by five. The children in question had no cause for late language development (see below) but were, aged two, often showing higher levels of behavioural and emotional stress. Which might be related to frustrations with language – even so, these issues were back within the normal range within a year or so.
What is ‘normal speech’ in toddlers?
By around 18 months of age, most children can say around six words. Even if your child is not speaking by the age of two, it’s more important to look at the pre-signs of communication than become concerned about speech itself.
Pre-language development includes:
- Being able to follow simple instructions such as picking up named items and handing them to a named person eg ‘take your teddy to nanny’.
- Copying gestures that relate to words. For example if you ask her if she’d like a drink, and mime drinking, your toddler will imitate your action while nodding her head.
- Pointing to things he wants.
- Saying no! If your little one is saying no and making a head shaking gesture, they are clearly communicating their wishes.
- Pointing to pictures in books when you are reading to her and using gestures appropriate to nursery rhymes when they are recited.
- Having nonsense conversations with her toys as she plays – this is the best language precursor as it is an attempt to master the very structure of speech.
Encouraging language use in children
One of the most important ways to help your toddler master language is to give her the best opportunities to communicate.
Get nanny to talk your little one through her own activities. While most of us naturally talk to toddlers as we do things with them. We can tend to go silent when we’re doing things for them. So, for example, when nanny names garments as she folds the washing or lists ingredients as she puts a snack together can encourage a toddler to articulate their own activities.
Ask your child a lot of questions. Leave a gap for him to answer before moving on. Five seconds is a good period to allow a child to comprehend the question and attempt an answer. Most of the time we speak long before a pre-verbal child has had a chance to muster their resources.
When your toddler does use language, however badly. Give them clear feedback. For example, if your child says winge for orange, reply “Yes, that’s right, orange”. Correcting language can inhibit your child from speaking.
Factors to consider when your child speaks later than others
Some children in bilingual households may confuse one language with another. As a result, speak less or start to speak slower, than other children. This can trouble people who have deliberately chosen to have a bilingual nanny but rest assured. Learning two languages can actually benefit your child’s academic development when they reach their teens.
If your child appears to have a stammer. Speak to your GP or health visitor as your little one may benefit from the input of a speech therapist.
If your toddler seems to struggle with simple instructions, or doesn’t focus their attention on things you point at, or talk about. Speak to your GP as it is important to rule out any hearing problems, although these are rare.