Problems in Child Language Development

New parents feel delighted when they hear their baby uttering the first words. They wait eagerly for the child speaking the word ‘ma ma’ or ‘pa pa’. It is tough to predict when the baby will start uttering the words. A Baby starts talking during the first two years of their life, till then they utter few words and learn the rules of the language and how adults communicate. Your baby’s receptive language or what they understand develops before their expressive language. When you talk to your baby, you are helping to develop the receptive language and stimulating the overall language development.

Even though the baby is unable to speak, they gather the information and increase the vocabulary just by listening to you. When there is lack of communication between the parents and the child, problem in language development occurs and this leads to misunderstanding. Communication allows social and emotional relationship to flourish. Problems in child language development can arise at any stage during the development of your child or later in life. They can be the result of a congenital defect, a developmental disorder or an injury. If you find a problem concerning speech and language development, you should immediately consult a speech therapist who can treat communication disorders.

Here are some tips given below with which you can support your child’s language development:

1. Reply to your baby’s cries:- Babies also learn about communication through crying. In the initial year, crying is a central part of their communication system. When the parents will respond to their cries then they will be assured that they are listened and the world is secure place where all their needs are fulfilled.

2. Have "conversations" with your baby:-Babies begin the skills of conversing by "taking turns." They coo, look at you and wait. You coo and they coo back. In that simple interaction, they practice the structure of conversation and they learn that they will be responded to when they reach out to communicate:-

A. Talk about your own actions as well:- Engaging in self-talk around your baby that teaches them language and helps her make sense of the world. Describe what you’re doing as you do it: "I’m boiling potato for your lunch. Then, I’ll mess them up and you can eat them." "I’m going into the bedroom to get your jacket." "I’m getting dressed and then I’m going to change you." "I’m going to go to work. Dad will stay with you today”

B. Sing songs or tell her stories:- Songs and stories are an important part of learning language because of the natural setting in which they are recited. Songs, finger plays or movement activities teach children words that have physical clues attached. When babies have learned a clapping song, they can ask for it by clapping her hands, even before they know how to say, "I want to sing the clapping song!”

Enjoy the art of a language with your baby and assist them in their development.