Language
Language:
Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes:
What words mean. Some words have more than one meaning. For example, “star” can be a bright object in the sky or someone famous.
How to make new words. For example, we can say “friend,” “friendly,” or “unfriendly” and mean something different.
How to put words together. For example, in English we say, “Peg walked to the new store” instead of “Peg walk store new.”
What we should say at different times. For example, we might be polite and say, “Would you mind moving your foot?” But, if the person does not move, we may say, “Get off my foot!”
Language Disorders - Signs of Language Problems:
Language is made up of the words we use to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. A child with a language disorder may have trouble with one or more of these skills.
Birth–3 months: Not smiling or playing with others
4–7 months: Not babbling
7–12 months: Making only a few sounds. Not using gestures, like waving or pointing.
7 months–2 years: Not understanding what others say
12–18 months: Saying only a few words
1½–2 years: Not putting two words together
2 years: Saying fewer than 50 words
2–3 years: Having trouble playing and talking with other children
2½–3 years: Having problems with early reading and writing. For example, your child may not like to draw or look at books.
You can help your child learn language by:
Talking, reading, and playing with your child.
Listening and responding to what your child says.
Talking with your child in the language that you are most comfortable using.
Teaching your child to speak another language, if you speak one.
Talking about what you do and what your child does during the day.
Using a lot of different words with your child.
Using longer sentences, as your child gets older.
Having your child play with other children.
How to Read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" to Get your Toddler Talking
Toys to Promote Language Learning
Parents are Smart:
You know your child. You understand what he means when he points to the door. You listen to her talk and watch her play. You remember what your older children did and said at the same age. It is normal to compare your child to other children. It is also normal to worry if you think your child is not keeping up.
You may ask other parents, relatives, or your doctor how they think your child talks. You may get answers like, “My son was slow, too. Now he won't shut up,” or “Don't worry; she'll outgrow it.” Your doctor might tell you not to worry until your child is closer to school age. And they might be right.
But what if they aren’t? You may think things like I'd feel guilty waiting only to find out that I should have done something sooner. How will I know for sure what to do?
What to Expect:
You won’t know for sure. All children go through the same stages as their speech and language develops. However, it is hard to know exactly when your child will get to each stage. There is a range of what is normal, and it can vary a lot. Your child’s speech and language development depends on:
Her natural ability to learn language.
Other skills that he is learning at the same time.
How much talking she hears during the day.
How people respond to what he says or does.
This makes it hard to say for sure where your child’s speech and language development will be in 3 months or 1 year.
Risk Factors:
Is your child between 18 and 30 months old and not talking as well as you think he should? Some factors that may put your child at risk for language problems include:
Understanding language. A child usually understands what she hears before she uses words. This is receptive language. Your child may be able to point to objects when you name them and follow simple directions. If your child seems to understand well for her age, she is more likely to catch up with her language. If you think she does not understand what others say, she may have a language delay.
Using gestures. Your child may use gestures to communicate, especially before he can say many words. Gestures include pointing, waving “hi” or “bye,” and putting his arms up so you will pick him up. The more gestures your child uses, the more likely it is that he will catch up to other children his age. Your child may not learn language as well if he does not use many gestures.
Learning new words. Your child may be slower to talk, but she should still try to use new words each month. She may start putting some words together or use words to ask questions. If your child does this, she is more likely to catch up and not have a delay. Your child may have a language problem if you do not hear new words often.
Having a problem with anything on this list does not mean that your child has a language delay. However, it puts him more at risk. You may want to have your child tested to make sure his speech and language is where it should be.
What Should You Do?
You know your child best. You don’t have to wait and see if you think there might be a problem. And you don’t have to guess if your child will catch up. If you have concerns you can requst to have your child seen by a speech-language pathologist, or SLP. As an SLP, I will talk to you about your concerns and test how well your child understands, speaks, and uses gestures.
I may give you ideas about how to help your child talk. I may suggest that you come back again if you are still worried in a few months. I can work with you to find ways to help your child communicate better. Trust your instincts!
The Early Intervention Program can also help if you have any other concerns about your child’s development. Early Intervention services coordination is available for families and children experiencing developmental delays. Included is evaluation, consultation and intervention. Educational services for children, birth through age 2, are often provided in the child's natural environment by early childhood personnel trained to work with young children.
If you have concerns, find out if your child is a late bloomer or has a language delay. If your child is under the age of three you can request Early Intervention by contacting Early Development Network Services Coordination.
To request Early Development services for your child or to refer a child in your area, call the local number below. With prior parental permission, referrals may be made by anyone who suspects a developmental delay in an infant or toddler.
402-274-4354 (Ext. 109)
Early Development Network...Babies Can't Wait...is supported through the collaborative efforts of the Nebraska Department of Education and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.
Additional Resources:
Stages Learning Materials
Stages Learning products are created to stimulate learning at each stage of language development. They feature beautiful real-photo images to capture a child's attention and engage their minds. Research demonstrates that children with autism are highly visual and literal learners, and our tools support these learning strengths.
The photo-based flashcard sets, games, puzzles and posters offer a broad assortment of images to teach a wide range of language skills. The card series provide opportunities to teach identical pre-language matching, categorization and learning similarities. The work is based on 20 years of experience in helping children learn language skills and new research on digital learning technologies.
New Tools!
Stages recently launched a new product line that combines the best of traditional print with interactive iPad Apps that help preschoolers build early literacy skills. The research-based Link4Fun interactive books and cards support language learning while providing children with engaging opportunities to improve fine motor skills and learn about the world around them.
The recent acquisition of the popular Brain Parade “See Touch Learn” App provides another language learning tool to help parents, teachers, and therapists provide children with over 4,000 vivid photo-based interactive learning tools for successful language learning.
To order: Stages Learning Materials