 | ||
|
| |    How to Nurture Language Development - Toddlers by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. At the same time that toddlers are learning about independent movement-walking-they are making giant strides in language. At one year, most babies understand a few words. Although they've been babbling for a while, they often say their first true word somewhere between 12 and 14 months. By two years, most children can say 100 or more words, and understand many more. They also are able to put two words together into mini-sentences. This is important because it shows that they understand that meaning comes from the way words are put together, not just from the words themselves. While scientists don't understand exactly how young children make these tremendous advances in understanding and speaking, we do know a lot about the sorts of experiences that help. Here are some things you can do to help your baby along: Talk with your toddler. The more words a toddler hears, the more he learns. From the standpoint of learning language, it is most helpful if these words come from people the toddler loves and trusts (for example, you!), and in connection with things they can see, touch, smell, and taste. So, for example, talking that happens while the two of you are mixing the batter and making cookies is much more powerful than just sitting passively in front of a TV. Ask lots of questions. Ask questions, even if your baby is too young to answer them. Then answer them yourself. "What's this under the couch? Aha! It's a sock! How'd that sock get there?" The more questions a baby hears, the sooner she'll begin to ask and answer them, and the more words she'll learn. Give lots of encouragement. Children who become skilled language users get a lot of encouragement to talk. Parents listen seriously as their child tries to explain things she is thinking about. They try to make sense of what she says, then check back by repeating what they think the child has said. Set limits kindly. Of course, children need to learn that there is a time to talk and a time to keep quiet. They often must be reminded that the best time to ask a question is not while their parent is on the telephone or in the middle of a discussion with someone else. It's fine for a child to hear, "You'll have to wait a minute." Afterwards, you can let your child know that you think what he had to say is important. Make looking at picture books together a part of your everyday routine. Looking at books together and talking about them is one of the most powerful ways you can nurture language growth. The pictures give children a way of seeing things that they would never see in real life. Toddlers tend to ask for the same book over and over again. Each time, the pictures and the words that go with them are a bit more familiar. When a child has learned all he wants to from a particular book, he moves on, and another one becomes the favorite. Notice that I haven't said "read" the book. Reading the words in the book is fine, especially if they rhyme, or if there is a pattern that repeats over and over. But what's much more important is that you talk with your child about the pictures and story, and listen to what your child has to say.
| |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
