Is my child's speech and language development on track?

As a parent, it's natural to have concerns about your child's development, especially when it comes to speech and language skills. Communication is a crucial aspect of a child's overall growth and can impact their social interactions, academic performance, and emotional well-being. So, how can you tell if your child's speech and language development is on track?

What are the Milestones to Look For?

Speech and language development milestones can vary from child to child, but there are general guidelines that can help you assess your child's progress.

• By the age of 1, most children should be babbling and using gestures to communicate, such as waving and pointing.
• By age 2, they should be combining words and expressing basic needs.
• By age 3, they should be forming simple sentences and engaging in conversations.

When to Seek Professional Help?

If you have concerns about your child's speech and language development because they are not meeting those milestones, you can seek the advice of a Speech and Language Therapist. We are trained to assess and treat communication disorders in children. Early intervention is key in addressing any delays or disorders, and can significantly improve your child's outcomes.

What Can Parents Do to Support Their Child?

There are several ways parents can support their child's speech and language development at home:

• Narrate your day!  As you're doing the laundry, tell your child that you're 'putting the dirty clothes in the washing machine' and later 'I'm hanging the wet clothes out to dry'.   Another example might be 'we're going to nursery now, lets put our shoes and coats on'.
• When playing with your child, try not to ask lots of questions such as 'what's that?' as your child may not have the vocabulary to answer you!  Narrate your child's play instead, for example 'ooh, you're pushing the red car!'  'wow, the dinosaur is stomping!'
• Use the 'Powerful Pause!'  Play games in which you can say 'ready, steady.....' and wait for your child to say 'go!'  If they don't say 'go', or whatever word you're waiting for, pause for a few seconds and then say the word for them.
• Read stories that rhyme.  Julia Donaldson books are great, along with the Hairy McClary stories by Lynley Dodd.  You can use the powerful pause at the end of a repeated line, once your child has heard it lots of times.
• Sing nursery rhymes together.
• Place favoured toys just out of reach or in a clear box, so your child has a reason to use communication to request the item.

Remember, every child is unique, and development can vary. If you have concerns about your child's speech and language skills, don't hesitate to seek professional guidance. With the right support and intervention, you can help your child reach their full communication potential.