Children’s language development begins from birth, with early exposure to speech and sounds playing a crucial role in their ability to listen, mimic, and eventually form words. Encouraging babies to engage with language through sounds, gestures, and interactive communication helps lay a strong foundation for their speech and language development.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key milestones of language development in early childhood, helping you understand what to expect at different stages and when to seek professional advice if needed.
1-12 Months: Early Language Milestones
By three months, your baby will likely begin to coo, laugh, and smile. They will also start using gestures like waving and pointing and begin experimenting with different sounds.
Between 4-6 months, babies typically start babbling. Initially, these may be single syllables such as “ba” or “da,” which will later evolve into repeated sounds like “dada.” Following this, they enter the jargon phase, where their speech may sound conversational, but it remains largely unintelligible.
At around 10-11 months, many babies say their first word and start to grasp its meaning.
Key milestones to watch for:
● Babbling should emerge by 6 months.
● Gestures such as waving and pointing should appear by 12 months.
If these milestones are not met, it is advisable to discuss concerns with a healthcare professional to ensure your child’s speech and language development is on track.
1-2 Years: Expanding Vocabulary and Understanding
Between 12-18 months, toddlers typically say a few recognisable words and understand their meanings. For example, they may call a parent “mama” or “dada.”
As they grow, their vocabulary expands, and they begin to understand and follow simple instructions.
Between 18 months and 2 years, children should start forming simple two-word phrases, such as “give toy” or “more juice.” Their ability to understand conversations also improves significantly.
Key milestones to watch for:
● By 18 months, toddlers should have started saying words.
● By 2 years, they should be able to form simple two-word sentences.
If your child has not yet spoken their first word by 18 months or cannot put two words together by 2 years, it is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
3-5 Years: Developing Conversations and Grammar
Between the ages of 3 and 5, children’s language skills develop rapidly. They can engage in longer conversations, express thoughts and feelings, and discuss a variety of topics. Their vocabulary continues to grow, and they start mastering basic grammar, using words such as “so,” “if,” “but,” and “because” to form more complex sentences.
Key indicators of progress:
● Increased ability to sustain conversations.
● Expanding vocabulary and improved sentence structure.
● Understanding and using basic grammatical rules.
Supporting Speech and Language Development at Blue Nest Montessori School
At Blue Nest Montessori School, we recognise the vital role of language development in early childhood. While every child progresses at their own pace, we create an environment that nurtures speech and language development through engaging activities and personalised Montessori learning experiences. By providing a range of interactive tasks, we encourage children to communicate, explore new vocabulary, and build confidence in their speaking abilities.
For expert guidance in children’s language development, choose Blue Nest Montessori School. Contact us today to learn more about our teaching methods or to schedule a nursery tour in Harrow, Pinner or Borehamwood.
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