Although each baby develops at their own rate, there are certain generalizations that parents may use to assess their child’s development. While parents should not be concerned if their child’s language development is not proceeding as expected, they should ensure that the youngster progresses (Ramírez et al., 2020). While each child develops at his or her own speed, generic milestones can serve as a guide to typical speech and language development (Bornstein et al., 2020). Moreover, interruptions in language and speech may indicate that professional help is required.
Within the observations I have learned that during the first year, a baby’s communication skills improve dramatically since the youngster learns to communicate with his or her parents, respond to them, and understand what they are saying. All of this occurs before the youngster utters his or her first words. Even small toddlers appear to like being talked to, turning their heads to hear a familiar voice. Crying is a baby’s earliest form of linguistic communication, with distinct noises expressing hunger, pain, and the need to be carried (Iverson, 2021). Later on, the youngster may imitate the parents’ noises, such as coughing or clicking (Kalashnikova & Burnham, 2018). Waving, pointing, or clapping are some of the motions that the child may imitate (Kalashnikova & Burnham, 2018). Moreover, I have learned that baby is always listening and learning. It aids the infant in comprehending his surroundings. For example, the infant recognizes the phrase “no” (about ten months) and elementary commands through vocal indicators in the early months (Iverson, 2021).
Children gain new talents at different ages and throughout time. Most babies learn abilities in a sequential manner, with each new ability building on the preceding one (Gervain, 2018). It is usually nothing to be worried about when babies gain abilities at different times (Ramírez et al., 2020). However, as I have observed if parents are concerned about the baby’s language development, paying a visit to a therapist, or paediatrician will only be beneficial in order to direct proper language development.
References
Bornstein, M. H., Putnick, D. L., Bohr, Y., Abdelmaseh, M., Lee, C. Y., & Esposito, G. (2020). Maternal sensitivity and language in infancy each promotes child core language skill in preschool. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 51, 483-489.
Gervain, J. (2018). The role of prenatal experience in language development. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 21, 62-67.
Iverson, J. M. (2021). Developmental variability and developmental cascades: Lessons from motor and language development in infancy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30(3), 228-235.
Kalashnikova, M., & Burnham, D. (2018). Infant-directed speech from seven to nineteen months has similar acoustic properties but different functions. Journal of Child Language, 45(5), 1035-1053.
Ramírez, N. F., Lytle, S. R., & Kuhl, P. K. (2020). Parent coaching increases conversational turns and advances infant language development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(7), 3484-3491.