How to Encourage Language Development in Preschoolers: Expert Tips for Parents

When and How Do Speech and Language Develop?

From the moment a baby is born, they start learning to communicate through cooing, babbling, and gesturing. These little talkers when get older, these early sounds turn into words and sentences. As a parent you need to understand that speech and language development involves many different aspects like thinking, the brain, and social-emotional factors.

Stages of Language Development

The language development process can be broadly divided into several key stages:

·        Receptive Language: At the infant stages, the child is developing the ability to understand the words and language they hear. Infants and toddlers typically demonstrate receptive language skills before expressive language skills.

·        Expressive Language: Till the age of 12 months a child can use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate their thoughts, needs, and ideas. Expressive language skills develop throughout the preschool years.

·        Pragmatic Language: At this stage, a child has developed the ability to use language appropriately in social contexts, follow conversational norms, and adapt their communication style to different situations.

Parameters to consider and development milestones

Each child has a different pace and journey of reaching a milestone. Some achieve it at an early stage while some are still learning. So let us generalise a few parameters as per the stages of childhood.

3 Years Old

·        Easily understand what you are saying

·        Speaks in simple sentences of 3-4 words

·        Asks many questions, like "who," "what," and "where"

·        Names familiar objects

·        Follows 2-3 step instructions

4 Years Old

·        Understands most of what is said

·        Speaks in complex sentences of 4-5 words

·        Describes everything

·        Asks many "why" questions

·        Follows 3-4 step instructions

Language development milestones

5 Years Old

·        Understands everything you say or ask

·        Speaks in full, grammatically correct sentences

·        Engages in back-and-forth conversations

·        Asks and answers complex questions

·        Follows multi-step instructions

What to Do If there is any delay?

If you notice that your child's speech and language development is not progressing as expected, it becomes essential to address the issue promptly. Intervening at an early stage can help in resolving the challenges a child is facing.

Some signs that can guide you:

·        Limited vocabulary for their age

·        Difficulty in understanding simple instructions

·        Inability to form complete sentences

·        Getting angry or throwing tantrums frequently due to communication challenges

Don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with your child's pediatrician or a qualified speech-language pathologist. They can assess your child's development, identify any areas of need, and recommend appropriate interventions or referrals to specialized services.

Role of a parent

Now, I know you're all wondering, "What can we do to help our children along this journey?"

Ways to elicit language development

Gaining skills can be easy if taught in fun and enjoyable ways.

·        Read, read, read!

o   Reading to your child exposes them to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and ideas. Make it a daily habit - bedtime stories are a great tradition to start.

·        Talk, talk, talk!

o   Tell them about your whole day, narrate any incident, describe what you did, and ask open-ended questions. The more language your child hears, the more they'll absorb.

·        Play word games Simple games like "I Spy" or rhyming games can make learning fun and interactive.

·        Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes These activities help with rhythm, memory, and language patterns.

·        Encourage pretend play

o   Set up a pretend store or restaurant. Role-playing scenarios are great for language practice.

·        Limit screen time While educational shows can be beneficial, nothing beats real-life

Conclusion:

Remember, every babbled word, every mispronounced syllable, every long-winded story about their imaginary friend - it's all part of this beautiful language development journey. Cherish these moments. Every child's language development journey is unique, and with the right support and guidance, your child can thrive and reach their full potential.