Amazingly, a baby’s language development begins before he or she is born. Research shows that in the 7th prenatal month a baby shows signs of relaxation (a decrease in heart rate) at the sound her mother’s voice.


So, keep in mind that your role in your child’s language development begins around the same time as most baby showers.

Another astonishing thing about language development is that it usually occurs quite naturally. Your baby cries and you respond. Your baby smiles and you smile back. And so a conversation begins. Within a couple of years, your toddler’s words begin to provide you with a window into just what she is thinking.

Here are some typical developmental patterns in oral language development and some ways to participate its growth:

Age	Verbal Milestones	Ways to participate
Fetus	Recognize and respond to their mother’s voice as early as 7 months of gestation.	During pregnancy, use a variety of high and low pitches while talking to your baby.
Newborn	Use listening—as well as all of their senses—to take in pitches and tones.	Follow your inclination to talk and sing  to your baby in a high, exaggerated tone (parentese) to help her distinguish sounds.
Infant	Cry to express hunger, discomfort, and sadness. Smile, babble, and laugh to communicate satisfaction and joy. Point to show interest and ask for information.	Respond quickly to your child’s non-verbal cues—such as crying, smiling, and laughing. Use facial expressions and body language to communicate effectively. Continue to talk to your child frequently and begin label objects that catch her interest. Begin reading to your child daily. Even if she doesn’t understand the words, the rhythm and sounds of the words build language capacity.
Toddler	Develop muscular control of their lips and tongues. May begin only knowing “mama” and “dada” and in a few months string together phrases to indicate things, such as “Owside” for “Let’s go outside and play.”	Use simple sentences, especially when you want an immediate response. Your child’s language comprehension has grown. However, she may only recognize a few words in a complete sentence. Give your child simple directions to follow, such as “Put the book on the shelf and come here.” Continue reading daily. Try nursery rhymes because they are great for short attention.
Preschooler	Start talking more like you—with some quirks. Use language to communicate what and how she wants to play.	Communicate in honest but simplified terms to explain what she can expect to happen, such as “Daddy will pick you up from daycare today” or “Your friend Autumn will be here soon.” Teach your pre-schooler to express her feelings and to use proper manners. Limit television viewing. The amount of television that your child watches is a personal decision. While making this decision, keep in mind television’s ability to teach language is only a fraction of what you can do one-on-one.
Kindergartner	Use more complex language skills. Ask probing questions that extend beyond her immediate world, such as, “Why do things look small when they’re far away?” May use language to express negative emotions towards others.	Ask open-ended questions. Without badgering, prompt your child to explain what she is thinking and doing. Answer your child’s questions honestly and in a way that encourages conversation. Teach your child that cruel words are never allowed and help her to rephrase negative statements about others. Listen. Taking time to listen carefully and frequently communicates that you value her and her ability to communicate.

Keep in mind that language develops in various ways and at various speeds. Therefore, if other children the same age show signs of greater development, you do not need to be overly concerned. However, be sure to discuss any observations about possible delays with your pediatrician to be sure that an intervention is not needed.

By Anne Oxenreider

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