Parents role in a child’s language development begins during the gestational period of the child. Here is how, at about 16-22 weeks of pregnancy, babies can hear sounds within the body such as their mother’s heartbeat. Around 23 weeks, they can hear sounds outside such as their mother’s voice and is able to distinguish from the voice of others. Parents can tell that babies within the womb move in response to different sounds particularly to the voice of their mother.
Once they are born, crying becomes their first form of communication. From birth, create an atmosphere of love, babies thrive more in such atmospheres and learning is easier then.
Practical ways to encourage children’s language development
- Reading: Babies do not yet understand words but they are fast learners. The more words they hear, the wider their vocabulary gets. Bed time stories is a great way to achieve this.
- Talking: Face-to-face conversations are very crucial in the language development of children. They learn more than the words but the facial expressions. In cases of tight and busy schedules, talking from afar is also key. While they may not understand the words, they learn the tone of voices and can understand the emotions that are being conveyed wether irritation, happiness, sadness or anger. Do not hesitate to use a high pitch voice when speaking to your baby from afar. Talk about what you are doing and how you spent your day. During tummy time, describe different objects to your little, it is fun!
- Singing and playing: Keep babies active by sharing moments of fun with them. Sing rhymes and encourage age appropriate games. These are great ways to show them around their world. Make animal sounds or sounds from objects like cars.
- Encourage good habits more than you dismiss bad ones. Use words like ‘awesome’, ‘excellent’ and ‘splendid’ to encourage them. Patience and consistency is key when raising babies.
- Look out for signs of delay in language development and problems associated with hearing such as no response to loud sounds. Contact a pediatrician immediately if such is observed or suspected.