Language Development
in Children
Language is everywhere.
There is nothing we do that does not involve some type of communication. We use language to express our emotions, form relationships and share thoughts and feelings.
Language is a vital tool for all children, but it is extremely important for children with special needs to have the means to communicate. Language can be spoken, signed, gestured. Or a combination of all, including pictures can be used to help a child reach their fullest potential.
The first step toward helping a child is to understand how language develops. Whether or not the child is developing at a slower rate, understanding the development of language will help you understand where on the continuum the child is now and begin working to strengthen language skills from that point.
Early language development involves cognition, play skills, social interactions and oral-motor development. As an infant awakens into the world the complex process of language development begins. Language acquisition involves the understanding (receptive) and the production (expressive) of language.
Receptive Language is what a child understands. What is seen, said or read. The understanding of language precedes expression.
Expressive Language begins with the cry at birth announcing the arrival. That vocalization initiated a response from the mother. Expressive language is the communication from one person to another. Speech, the physical production of sounds into words is expressive language.
Other forms of expression include; cries, facial expression, laughter, words, gestures, sign language, picture exchanges, or assistive devices.
All children should be picking up new skills each month, whether a child is delayed in speech or not.
Look at the developmental charts in the areas of language, speech, social-emotional, fine-motor and gross- motor to determine your child’s level of development.
Remember when viewing these charts that there is a wide range in what is considered “normal” development. If you have concerns consult your pediatrician for referrals. Use this information to help your child obtain the next developmental milestone.
General signs of expressive or receptive language delays include:
- Inability to follow verbal instructions
- Parroting words or phrases (echolalia)
- Language skills below the expected level for their age.
- Not seeming to listen when they are spoken to.
- Lack of interest when story books are read to them.
- Inability to understand complicated sentences.
If your child is experiencing any of the above mentioned general signs, please consult your pediatrician. For more infomation sign up for my Free Speech Therapy Fun course.
Here is an adaptive keyboard called comfy keyboard that I have used for many years as a Speech Pathologist. It encourages imitation, vocabulary development, understanding of cause and effect and hours of fun engaging learning experiences. I highly recommend this product.
It plugs into your computer with a USB cable. The children I work with love the CD that comes with the keyboard as well as MY HOME, MY IMAGINATION, MY COLORS and WORLD of COLORS software. Each program can be set to 3 different levels and on many different languages.
For more information on language development please read:
- How to talk to your baby or child
- The importance of teaching imitation skills to a child