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Language and Speech Development

By her 2nd birthday, Makenna puts 4 words together in a sentence.

Your child deserves and is entitled to early language development.

Communication comes in many forms: Signs, gestures, pictures, verbal, and oral are just a few. The form is the "how" of communication. The content is the "what" of communication. And most importantly for acquiring language is the "why" — its social use.

The Pediatric Services speech and language pathologist promote the development of language in cooperation with our complete profession team. Language development includes the sounds your child makes and his or her early attempts to communicate, as well as what the child understands when spoken to.

Moments for focusing on communication and language skills happen throughout the day, in all settings. Parents are the child’s first and best teachers. Your child will benefit most by using daily routines to demonstrate the use of language and the opportunity to practice communication.

Communication exchanges are the beginning of language. The understanding and use of language to communicate begins early in life. Communication between baby and parent begins in the first week of life with eye contact. A smile, a coo, a babble at first. Progression to more elaborate and meaningful exchanges, such as when the baby looks at a toy, then at mom, then back to a toy.

We stress the social use of communication because of its impact on language development. This includes "modeling", teaching of social games, and interactive play between child, parent, and others.

Mirror play, social play, and pretend play (pretending to be on the telephone, dress up, pretending to drive a car) are all important predictors of language skill acquisition. Turn taking, reciprocal leadership, and seeking information from others demonstrates comprehension that the use of language is to communicate.

Modeling responses that stimulate language and communication, recognition of signals and cues from the child, behavior regulation and successful activity transitions are taught.

Audiological history may influence the acquisition of words and will be taken into consideration when customizing your child’s program.

Language and communication lead to social competence. Your child is unique and working with the education, parenting and language specialists to promote communication is an important boost for your child’s development.

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Home • Parents' Corner • Parents' Corner Archive • Professional Corner • Professional Corner Archive • Case in Progress • Case in Progress Archive • Inspirational Messages • Inspirational Messages Archive • Direct Services • Consulting • Seminars, Workshops, and More • Special Events • Recommended Reading • Recommended Reading for Children • Ask the Experts • News Flash • Current Question and Answer • Understanding the Lingo • About the Team • Testimonials • Fees, Location, and Details • Typical Development: Makenna • Typical Development: Lacey • Resources • PrivacyStatement • Confidentiality