As they listen, they develop the ability to make sounds and put them together into words. They also learn how to understand what other people say to them. A child who is deaf or hard of hearing may not hear as much speech and language as a child with normal hearing.
A child’s speech and language skills are developed through everyday play, routines, and activities with caregivers. For example, during feeding time, you can use a variety of sounds (such as “m” for milk), gestures (such as “milk” sign), and words (“milk”). As the child gets older, his or her vocabulary will grow through interactions with others in the family and community.
A child who is deaf or hard of hearing may need extra help to develop their speech and language skills. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children who have communication disorders. An SLP can help parents decide if their toddler needs individual therapy.
Infants start with the ability to understand that language is a tool for communication. As they get older, they will start to use this skill to communicate their needs and wants. They are like sponges, able to absorb any kind of information around them and process it into action.
Infants are also able to imitate or copy what they hear and see. They can also easily recognize other people’s speech and try their best to replicate the sounds they have heard before. In time, infants will begin to understand simple words such as mommy, daddy, baby and so on.
As an infant grows up into a toddler, the skills mentioned above will become more advanced. Toddlers are able to develop a more complex repertoire of words and phrases that they can use for communication with adults, family members and friends. At times, toddlers will start using simple sentences to convey their thoughts or feelings about a particular object or event.
Have you noticed that your child isn’t reaching their speech milestones on time? Or do they have difficulty making certain sounds? If so, they may benefit from speech therapy.
First, it’s important to know that there are many different types of speech therapy. For example, if a child has difficulty pronouncing certain words or has a stutter, they may need articulation therapy. If they have trouble understanding the meaning of words and language, they may need word comprehension therapy.
It is also important to note that not all children will need speech therapy. In fact, many children who have delays in their speech development actually catch up with same-age peers by the time they begin kindergarten. However, if you notice that your child is having difficulty speaking clearly or that their speech is delayed compared to other children in their age group, it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician about getting a referral for speech therapy. Your doctor can refer you to an occupational therapist who specializes in treating children with developmental delays. They will assess whether or not your child needs help with their articulation (speech) skills and language comprehension skills.