Key Milestones for Children’s Language Development

Witnessing your child’s communication skills blossom is a truly rewarding experience. At Blue Nest Montessori School, we understand the crucial role of children’s language development in their overall growth. From their first coos to constructing complex sentences, there are several key milestones to observe.

Understanding these stages can help you appreciate their progress and identify when additional support might be beneficial. This blog post will highlight some of these important steps in speech and language development.

Early Sounds and First Words (0-18 Months)

The journey of speech and language development begins long before the first recognisable word. In the early months, babies communicate through sounds like cooing, gurgling and babbling. Around six to twelve months, you might hear them stringing sounds together like “mama” or “dada” without necessarily attaching meaning.

Typically, their first true words, with clear meaning, emerge between 12 and 18 months. These are often familiar nouns like “ball,” “cat,” or “milk.” At Blue Nest Montessori School, our nurturing environment provides rich sensory experiences and encourages early communication through songs, rhymes and interactions.

Expanding Vocabulary and Simple Sentences (18-36 Months)

Between 18 and 36 months, a child’s vocabulary typically explodes. They start to understand and use many more words and begin to form simple two-word phrases like “more juice” or “go out.” By the end of this stage, many children can use short sentences and ask simple questions.

Our carefully planned activities at our nurseries encourage this rapid language growth through storytelling, picture books and opportunities for conversation. We also ensure our staff are attuned to individual children’s language development and provide a supportive atmosphere.

Developing More Complex Language (3-5 Years)

As children move into the preschool years, their language skills become increasingly sophisticated. They start to use longer and more complex sentences, understand and follow multi-step instructions and can engage in more detailed conversations. They also begin to grasp grammatical rules and use different tenses.

We provide a language-rich environment that fosters this development through group activities, imaginative play and exposure to a wide range of vocabulary. We also have access to speech and language resources to support children who may need extra help.

Pre-Literacy Skills (4-5 Years)

Towards the end of their time with us, children begin to develop crucial pre-literacy skills that lay the foundation for reading and writing. This includes recognising letters and sounds, understanding that print carries meaning, and developing phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words).

Our Montessori approach naturally integrates these skills into daily activities, preparing children for their next educational steps. We can also signpost parents to valuable speech and language resources if they have any concerns about their child's progress.

Get in Touch for Additional Support

Understanding these key milestones in children’s language development can provide valuable insights into your child’s progress. Remember that every child develops at their own pace, but if you have any concerns about your child’s speech and language development, don’t hesitate to seek advice.

Want to learn more about how we can support your child's communication skills? Get in touch with us today to discover more about our nurturing approach and the enriching experiences we offer.