Understanding Communication Milestones: A Guide to Speech and Language Development for Young Children
When it comes to young children's communication milestones, understanding typical speech and language development is key. As parents, caregivers, or educators, it's essential to know what to expect as children grow and develop. Monitoring these milestones can help you recognize if your child is on track or might benefit from the support of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
“NOT ALL CHILDREN MASTER SKILLS AT THE SAME AGE”
When it comes to young children's communication milestones, understanding typical speech and language development is key. As parents, caregivers, or educators, it's essential to know what to expect as children grow and develop. Monitoring these milestones can help you recognize if your child is on track or might benefit from the support of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides valuable developmental milestones handouts that outline what most children achieve at specific ages. These handouts cover both communication and feeding/swallowing skills, giving a comprehensive view of a child's development. However, it's important to remember that these milestones are general guidelines. Not all children will master these skills at the exact same age, and that’s perfectly normal! The goal is to observe continuous progress in speech and language skills over time.
Key Points to Remember:
General Guidelines, Not Strict Rules: Milestones are not a diagnostic tool. They're a helpful reference to guide you in understanding typical development. Each child is unique, and variations are common.
Look for Continuous Development: Rather than focusing solely on specific ages, consider the broader range of development that may happen before and after the expected age. This holistic approach allows you to see a clearer picture of your child's progress.
Know When to Seek Guidance: If you're ever concerned about your child's communication or feeding skills, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional. Early intervention can make a significant difference in helping children reach their full potential.
“GET TEXTS ABOUT MILESTONES, SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES AND WARNING SIGNS OF A SPEECH OR LANGUAGE DELAY”
Resources for Parents and Caregivers:
ASHA has partnered with Bright by Text to provide free, expert-backed resources and tips directly to parents and caregivers of children ages 2-6. By subscribing, you'll receive text messages with practical activities and advice tailored to your child’s age. Content is sourced from trusted organizations like PBS and Sesame Street, covering topics from language and early literacy to health, safety, and behavioral tips. You can get texts about speech and language milestones, suggested activities and warning signs of a speech or language disorder or delay. Text TALK to 274-448
For more detailed information on communication milestones and to access ASHA's developmental handouts, visit ASHA's developmental milestones page. These resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge you need to support your child’s speech and language development effectively.
How much of my child’s speech should I be able to understand? Click here for guidelines.
Remember, every child’s journey is different. Celebrate the progress your child makes, and don't hesitate to seek support if you have concerns. Together, we can ensure our children grow into strong communicators, ready to engage with the world around them.
Add a Word Strategy for Language Development
Add a Word : Strategy to improve language development in early language learners. A blog post highlighting one strategy for parents and speech language pathologists to use to promote language and words in preschool children.
Description:
If a child is using one word to comment, request, negate, label, describe, answer or ask for more; add a word to their vocalization. If a child is using 2 words together, expand it to make a 3 word sentence and so on. The child does not need to imitate, simply hear the expansion. This will expand their sentences and the function of their communication and their vocabulary skills. Click here for the Full Resource of Speech and Language Strategies for Early Childhood.
Examples:
1) If a child is saying "bye-bye" to someone or something, you say, "bye-bye kitty" and if a child says "bye-bye Kitty, you say, "Bye-bye big kitty". Add a word to what the child says.
2) If a child asks for "more", expand their vocalization by saying "more milk", if they say "more milk", you could say, "more milk me".
3) If a child makes a comment on a picture or something happening in their environment by saying "plane", you say, "see plane" or expand to three words by saying, "see plane fly".
4)Introduce a new word each day and encourage children to use it throughout the day. This can help them build their vocabulary and learn new words in a fun and interactive way. You can also incorporate this strategy into daily routines such as snack time or bedtime.
Wait and Pause Strategy to Support Language Development
Strategy to support language development: Wait and Pause and give the child time to respond during play activities. When you ask a question, make a comment or give directions, wait and pause for the response. Make sure to also pause after your child speaks.
During play, as you are talking, pause where there is a word you want the child to say.
Description:
Pause and give the child time to respond during play activities. When you ask a question, make a comment or give directions, wait and pause for the response. Make sure to also pause after your child speaks.
During play, as you are talking, pause where there is a word you want the child to say.
Click here for the Full Resource of Speech and Language Strategies for Early Childhood
Examples:
1) Build a block tower: As you place each block on top say "block on" at least 3 times, on the fourth time say "block" and pause for the child to fill in the word "on", wait 3-5 seconds and say the word if the child does not. Continue each time you place a block on.
2)Hide some toys around the room, and have your child cover their eyes. Repeat phrases such as, "Where is it?" or "Where are you?" as the child is looking for the toys. Repeat the phrases several time and pause after at least 5 trials and shrug your shoulders and pause to see of the child will say "where". Continue to repeat the activity.
3) As you are reading a book point to the same item on each page of a book and say or sign the word (i.e. car). After at least 3-5 trials, point to the car and pause for the child to say or sign the word.
