Speech and Language Development for Infants 101

To help kids talk well from a young age, the best way is to talk and have fun conversations with them. Babies, when they hear people talking, naturally pick up the sounds, how sentences are put together, and the rules of language.

Creating a happy place for learning, especially with babies and toddlers, means having fun chats. Start conversations by watching what kids do or asking about what they find interesting. Check if you're having enough friendly talks instead of just giving directions. If you're focusing too much on instructions, try adding more casual chats to your day on purpose.

Playing verbal games where children take turns, even when they're just babbling, shows how conversations naturally develop. As kids grow, these language games can include things like riddles and rhyming. Also, using songs and fingerplays is a helpful way to develop speech and language skills.

It's crucial to engage in reading with your child, introducing them to new words early on to enhance their vocabulary. Offer a variety of literature, including poetry, short stories, and plays, to expose them to different styles and gauge their receptivity.

Encourage inquiry. Initially, children may point to objects when questioned about their locations. With time, they will advance to using short phrases and eventually develop the ability to answer more complex open ended questions.

When children mispronounce words, a straightforward repetition with the correct pronunciation is adequate. For example, if a child says, "I really enjoy ice skweem,” respond with, "Oh, when was the last time you had some ice cream? Ice cream is my favorite too!" This showcases how adults can exemplify correct pronunciation and aid children in correcting mispronounced words.

Additionally, demonstrate non-verbal communication skills alongside verbal elements. Exhibit focused attention by putting aside distractions, turning towards the child, and establishing eye contact. Keep the child engage by using gestures, such as nodding during the child's speech and using appropriate facial expressions to show that you’re actively engaged and listening. Most crucially, allow the child to observe and imitate to help them learn, and keep it simple.