As a baby grows, there are two stages of development to look forward to: starting to walk and talking. But not all children start talking early and this may concern parents, especially if they are first timers. Getting your child to speak is a process that requires patience and perseverance. From the first year, they can usually say two words, or a few more, usually mom and dad. Pointing at objects and making sounds becomes habitual.
It is between 18 months and two years when the first great advance in language occurs, when the child begins to articulate sentences of few words, and has a broader repertoire in his vocabulary. From then on, children's language skills begin to improve. Although it will continue to emit sounds that seem like conversations but are unintelligible. This is called jargon. Speech clarity should progress to completion between 3 and 5 years. Already at school age children usually already know how to express themselves and maintain simple conversations.
How to get my toddler to talk
Create opportunities to speak
There are countless ways to stimulate your child to speak, and most arise when your child wants something. For example, he places his favorite toy out of reach, so when he wants it, he will try to make himself understood. When he points to the place where his toy is, you can ask him if he wants that toy, for example: "Do you want the green truck?", And when giving it, repeat the name, such as: "Take the green truck." This will help them understand how to use their communication and speaking skills to ask for help.
This can be done with her things, but also with food, letting her order her snack, for example. Instead of giving it to them on time, you can play “forgetful” parents, a game that also works well. It consists of pretending to forget obvious things that you have always done, like this, In addition to entertaining your child, you will also encourage him to tell you how to do things right. Always use reassurance questions, such as "Did I forget my shoes?" In this way, in addition to stimulating him, you will increase his vocabulary thanks to repetitions.
Expand your language skills so that my child can speak
When trying to expand your language skills, you need to focus on reaching the next level. Trying to move him too fast can be frustrating for him. Little children talk or they communicate with very few words, so your goal is to expand that vocabulary so that it has more linguistic resources. Focus on things that you like, be it animals, cars, colors ... If you are not interested in the subject you will be bored.
The moment you say a word, expand the list of words with descriptions. For example, if your child says car, you can add adjectives like “a nice red car”, or “the dog is good”. This is a strategy that you can use from your first words, even if it doesn't link concepts in a sentence yet. The most important thing is to use simple words that you can repeat.. It is also important to eliminate negativity. That is, if he pronounces a word wrong, repeat it well but without telling him that he has said it wrong. Do not forget that you are still learning and telling them that they have said the wrong thing can be counterproductive.
When to start worrying?
Children who understand what is being said but have limited expressive vocabulary between 18 and 35 months are considered late talkers. A child's expressive vocabulary is based on the words he uses, not in their way of pronouncing them. This is different from understanding. Your child may not be able to pronounce a word, but he can make himself understood without pointing or gesturing.
Another determining factor of a late speaker is whether or not there are delays in other areas of development such as walking or playing. If a young child also shows a developmental delay in these areas, the pediatrician will look for conditions such as hearing problems or autism. On the other hand, for a child to start talking later than usual is common, so if the pediatrician says that your child is fine, there is no need to be alarmed. Each child has their times and they must be respected.