All children’s speech develops at different stages so try to avoid comparing your child to others their age. Some children first start speaking at three or four years old so don’t think because they are speaking, they aren’t learning- they are! In fact they are absorbing everything they hear around them and listening to what you say. This makes their environment an important tool in developing speech and language.

As a parent, you are in fact also a teacher, as your child will inevitably learn most of their behaviour and actions from you. To encourage your child to start talking try incorporating these simple tips into your everyday routines.

Carefully monitor what your child hears and what you say, as your child will model what they hear.    See Language Acquisition Theories. 

Keep your child healthy and make sure you encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle. This may not seem significant to a child’s speech, but if a child is in good health they are likely to learn more and respond to the language they hear in their environment.  A balanced diet with the correct nutrients and a range of food will develop the muscles in your child’s mouth, essential for their speech and the ability to form words.

Always attend regular check ups with your child’s paediatrician, as this will ensure your child’s hearing is checked and any potential disabilities or problems can be identified early on.

Provide a rich stimulating environment for your baby or child. Decorate you child’s room with colourful educational posters and pictures to stimulate their interest in the world around them. Musical toys and interactive educational keyboards and games are also beneficial.

Read to your child. This is perhaps the most important way of developing your child’s language and auditory discrimination. Have a range of picture books and set aside time daily to share a favourite picture book with your child such as a story from the Harper Collins Treasury of Picture Book Classics.

Sing songs or play a  Counting Songs CD for your child from an early age. This not only develops your child’s language skills but also their concentration and early number concepts. You may like to sing nursery rhymes to your child to develop their language and auditory discrimination . You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child picks up the words and learns the tune to each song! The Jolly Songs are also beneficial as they teach letter sounds in preparation for pre-school and reading development.

Talk to your child and always look at them when you speak. Explain your reasons for doing things, such as when you are getting them ready for a bath or bed. Vary your tone, use expression and body language to convey meaning.  Make sure your child understands your overall communication through gestures even though they may not fully understand the language.

Provide your child with opportunities to socialise with other children and family members. This will encourage them to communicate with others and as a result be keener and feel the need to express themselves.

Attend a mother and toddler group, playgroup or pre-school, as this provides am invaluable tool for developing social skills and is an environment rich in language.

Remember developing your child’s listening and hearing is key to them being able to talk and use language. Develop this through stories and social opportunities.

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