Helping Your Child Learn To Talk

Based on a poll of 636 Abbott parents | Start Date: 05^th March 2009 | End Date: 07^th April 2009

Learning to talk is a process that begins at birth. Over time your little one will associate meanings to certain sounds and, be able to use sounds that we call ‘words’ to communicate needs and feelings. Here’s how this journey to vocalisation takes place:

From birth to 3 months

Your baby listens intently to voices. Soon he discovers that he can make some sounds too. He coos and gurgles – and then repeats the sounds over and over again – rejoicing in his new found skill. Soon he tries to copy the sounds he hears. So, if you want to help your baby talk, here’s what you can do:

Talk and sing to your baby often

Some schools of thought believe that baby actually can hear in the womb. So, listen to beautiful music and, talk to your baby during the time you carry your baby in your womb.
After birth, as you talk and sing to your baby, hold him close and look into his eyes. Your baby will be reassured by your voice and enjoy your presence and smile.

From 3 – 6 months

At 6 weeks your baby responds to sounds – quieting with soothing sounds and startling with loud noises. By 8 weeks, your baby is ready to babble. He now learns how adults talk to each other and is ready to pitch in and be heard. Here’s what you can do to help him ‘speak up’.

Give baby a chance
Babies like to discover their vocal abilities. So, give them time and the quiet space to explore the prowess of their vocal chords. At three months, your little one may actually be able to squeal with delight.
Respond to his baby talk
If your baby makes a sound, then respond to it, repeat it back to him. Baby will repeat the sound and enjoy this simple interaction with you.

From 6 – 9 months

After six months your little one will babble using single syllables like ‘ma’ or ‘da’. At eight months, he will use combined syllables like ‘mama’ and ‘dada’

Now you can:

Introduce simple rhymes with simple tunes and movements.
Name things using simple words – such as nose, eyes, mouth etc.

Between 9 and 12 months

Baby will understand single words such as ‘no’ and ‘yes’. Baby can wave ‘bye-bye’ and point to body parts. He can respond to simple questions such as “Where is Mummy?” or “Where is your nose?”

Your baby increases his vocabulary and can use simple terms to refer to familiar objects (such as ‘mum mum’ for food or ‘joo joo’ for juice etc) and he can even point to objects that he wants. Now, he speaks continuously but the words are still mostly baby jargon.

Now, you should speak to your baby as you do things with him.
Try to refer to words correctly even if he uses his special baby language. This will help your child learn new words and sentence construction faster.
Ask your child to name things around him.
Introduce picture cards and colourful cooks.
Praise your child when he names things correctly.
Expand his language by describing things with simple sentences and asking simple questions.
Introduce pretend play to help spur speaking skills. You will soon hear your little one talking to imaginary friends.

Between 18 and 24 months

Your baby will follow instructions and he now can put 2 – 3 words together to express himself in simple phrases.

Use everyday activities to introduce new words to your child. Repeat yourself each time you do the same thing so that your child is soon familiar with the new words and phrases.
Teach your child simple songs and nursery rhymes.
Read to your child.
Encourage your child to talk to friends and family.

Between 24 and 36 months

Your child’s language abilities are quite developed by this time and he has a vocabulary of almost 100 words by the age of three years. He now understands spatial concepts such as ‘on’, ‘in’ and ‘under’. This is the time to teach your child the following:

Full name
Gender
Colours
Numbers
Nursery rhymes

Ask questions relating to his experiences or about the story he just read. Continue to encourage play. Soon you will find that by the age of 4 years, your child can hold a fluent conversation.

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