The baby grows, becomes more independent, opens up new opportunities. Along with the ability to walk, the ability to speak is probably the greatest achievement accomplished by a small man. And the most exciting stage for parents. After all, everyone wants their kid to learn to speak quickly, correctly and without problems. And very few people know that parents can intervene in this process and even need it. Moreover, it is often from the zeal and the degree of tolerance of parents that the development of the speech skills of the baby depends. So, the child begins to talk - how can he help? What is normal in the development of children's speech, and what should I start to worry about? We will help you to understand this once and for all.
Speech development: 1-3 months.
Actually, speech at this age begins with a cry. You will not believe, but the kid never screams just like that. Any mother knows that this is the primary "speech" of the little girl. There are also different intonations, and a different timbre and frequency of sound. Later, the cry changes, progresses to gurgling and all other fuzzy sounds, not connected in any way. It is already easier for you to understand the cause of the manifestation of certain sounds. Whether it's because the baby needs clean diapers, wants to sleep, hungry or something else.
Speech development: 4-12 months.
Obviously, your child will still not give any meaning to what he said at this stage. Although you will hear fuzzy "mom" or "dad". Attempts to speak will alternate with a long chatter. At this age in the children's language, everything sounds the same, regardless of the language you speak: English, Spanish, Japanese or Urdu. Your child will start using some specific sounds that sound different from the rest. This is because he feels "comfortable" when he publishes them.
When a child grows older, approaching the "one year" mark, he begins to gradually comprehend what has been said. This is because he hears you and imitates your speech model. Your child will also understand simple instructions, such as: "Give my mother a book". This is the age when you can start to influence the further development of your baby's speech. Experts advise to start singing with the child songs. It sounds strange, but it really helps them develop their language skills. Sounds pronounced "singing" are easier to pronounce and give positive emotions. Yes, yes, try it - you will be surprised by the result.
Speech development: 12-17 months.
At this time, the child begins to pronounce simple words that are key to him. Usually these are words that consist of one syllable. For example, give, drink, on, and so on. Also, the baby tries to pronounce and longer words, often "shortening" them. For example, let's go - dm, I want - chu. A very important point for parents is not to allow a child to get used to the misuse of these words. It is necessary to pronounce the word completely, correctly, slowly. It is not necessary to force the child to repeat it, but let him at least hear how to pronounce this or that word. Often parents miss this moment, they say, will grow - learn. In the future, the kid simply follows the path of least resistance, lazy to pronounce the words completely. This can be a serious problem in the future.
His vocabulary for a child of this age should be up to 20 words, although some children can speak much more, and some slightly less. At this time, you can already try to stimulate the speech of the child. For example, show simple pictures and ask the baby to name what is painted. Believe me, he is already quite able to call familiar objects. It may not always sound right, but you should always encourage the child's efforts, correcting the pronunciation of words. Turn it into a game. You can come up with a system of incentives - small prizes. He said it right - this is your reward.
If you have not started yet, try to read with the child. No, of course, it's not about learning the ABC. Just sit next to the child, take a book with big beautiful pictures and read. The child will look and listen - the best training of speech skills. Make reading a daily ritual. This will subsequently serve you well, and the children are very fond of "reading" beautiful pictures themselves
At this age, your child already knows how important it is to be able to speak. The main thing for him in the beginning is to get what he wants. Then - express something, share feelings, be glad, complain, etc. Speech becomes the basis of communication for the baby. Support it in it. This is extremely important.
Speech development: one and a half to two years.
Your child's vocabulary becomes bigger and bigger and can be up to 100 words. Most words will continue to be monosyllabic, but you will hear more and more often combinations of two or more simple words. For example, "give porridge", "juice". Often the child combines words not quite right, confuses forms and endings. This is normal. It would be strange to expect an academic speech from a one-year-old baby. But try to correct, all the same, you need. And it is from this time to use simple pretexts, such as "in", "on", "above". "Under", etc.
Your child will also ask simple questions, changing the tone of his voice to "strengthen" their meaning. Do not dismiss the child! Always answer questions, even the simplest ones. Believe me, the child wants to know everything, he needs answers. And here we are talking not only about the development of speech, but also about the overall development of your child.
Speech development: 2-3 years.
Your child's vocabulary is already approaching 300 words. He can already make short phrases. For example: "I drink milk," "Give me the ball." This is a very emotional age, when the child "speaks" not only with the help of words, but also attracts gestures, facial expressions, all his ability to express himself. Frequent whims due to the fact that they do not understand him, can both stimulate the correct pronunciation of words and phrases in the child, and vice versa - they become closed and stop developing in terms of speech. It is extremely important for parents to support their child, try to understand him, develop interest in learning new words, and using them correctly.
To help, again, books come. If you have not yet attached a child to them - do it now! Later it will be more difficult. Play with the child in words - the names of different objects, concepts and sensations.
Speech development: 3-4 years.
At this age, children usually know more than 1000 words and start talking with more complex sentences. It is very important to teach the child the correct use of grammar. Believe me, he is already able to assimilate this information on an unconscious level. Speak correctly yourself! Watch your speech, because all your flaws and negligence will be assimilated and repeated by the child.
There will still be a few sounds that can be difficult for your child. For example, "Р", "Ч", "Щ", but in general your child will speak in such a way that most people will understand it. If any sounds are given to the child more difficultly - work out them additionally. In the form of a game, with the help of amusing poems or songs, you can train the baby in pronunciation. Do not run this moment!
Children will enjoy your stories and songs before going to bed. They will ask a lot of questions about the world around them. They will also have the opportunity to say how old they are, not showing on their fingers.
What should parents do?
How to help the child learn to speak correctly and in time? And is it worth doing anything at all? Worth it! Experts have identified several basic tips how to behave to parents whose children are just beginning to say:
- Learn to relax: the excessive care of how much your child knows words, how clearly he pronounces them, will not help you or the child himself.
- A living example is important: We take the child with us to many different places and give them the opportunity to see and hear people, things and objects around. This is a great way to help them learn to speak.
- Do not talk to them as an adult: Talking with the child as if they are not 20 to help them learn. They should hear short sentences, a caress in your voice, to help them get used to the speech of adults.
- Teach them with simple things: Start with simple funny things, like, for example, animal voices. Grab their attention, and they will start copying you.
- Start talking with them as soon as possible: Infants learn the language from the moment they were born. They even distinguish between voices and sounds, being in the womb of the mother.
- Read poetry, sing songs: They are a great way to help the child learn the structure of the language. They also allow parents to interact in an amusing way with their child.
- Do not rely on the TV: A small child does not perceive a speech from the screen! No (even a children's) telecast can replace a living person, his soft voice, a smiling face.
Other tips for developing the speech of the child.
- Use the appropriate words: Make sure that the language you use is part of the daily life and language of the child. Speak simply, with understandable words, with even intonation.
- Speak slowly: Your child should be able to choose from the words that you use, necessary for him. So do not rush into your speech.
- Repeat several times: It can be boring, but repeating words and phrases over and over will help your child learn.
What can affect the delay in the development of speech.
Remember that all children develop differently. So, although your child can not say much from the vocabulary of his peers, this does not necessarily mean that there are problems. However, sometimes something from the outside can really prevent a child from developing. There are factors influencing children's speech. For example, ear infections can lead to speech delay, so make sure that the child has passed an appropriate hearing test.
There is a simple scheme for you to navigate. A child at the age of 1 year uses sentences of 1 word, 2 years - from 2 words, 3 years - from 3 words. The scheme is conditional, but on the whole it corresponds to the age characteristics of the child.
It is very important to talk immediately to a health care provider if any of the following items apply to your child:
- Your child does not listen to you or reacts to sounds
- Your child has problems sucking, swallowing, or chewing
- Your child does not say any words after 18 months
- Your baby is having difficulty understanding what you are saying
- Your baby has an unusual voice or stutters
It is very difficult in this issue to draw a line between "normal" and "pathology." Children develop very unevenly. Some start talking after a year, others after two. Later, as a rule, they all "equalize" and then grow quite healthy children. But the parents are still worried. On this question the experts have the following view: "If your child can understand more than one word in the sentence at the age of 2 years, then this is the most important thing."
So, even if your child does not speak, but immediately understands the sentence: "Put your shoes on and go here - I'll give you a toy" - you can not worry too much.