Does your little one seem to be speaking late? Shall we talk about Language Delay?

One of the biggest worries for many mothers and fathers is that their little one is a little late in speaking compared to other children of his age. Sometimes, even when comparing him to other children in the family, to his older brother or sister, he feels very scared, wondering, "Why is my son/daughter the only one like this?" Is this really normal? Or should we be concerned about this? Today, let's talk a little more about this speech delay, or `(Language Delay)`.

Are all babies the same? The "normal" range of speech

First of all, the most important thing we all need to understand is that not all babies are the same. Just like our five fingers are not the same. The speed at which they develop, the time they start talking, the time they start walking, all of these things can be very different from one another. Think about it, even among siblings in the same family, we can clearly see this difference, right? Some people talk early, some people talk a little later. So the word "normal" has a big range, especially when it comes to language development.

However, this does not mean that we should not investigate anything about our child. As parents, if we have even the slightest doubt or fear about any step in our little one's development, it is very important to investigate it. There are some small guidelines that can help us identify if our child has a delay in speaking, that is, a `(Language Delay)`. These are not exact rules, but they are generally what can be expected from children at this age.

Two-year-olds - what should we expect?

Now let's look at what we can expect from a toddler's speech development at around two years old. Don't be alarmed by these, these are just average levels.

• Two-word sentences: Your child should have started speaking simple two-word sentences like "I want water," "I want rice," "Mom is going," and "Bring the ball."
• Understanding simple instructions: He should be able to understand and follow simple two-step instructions, such as "Bring the doll, then put the chair on top."
• Naming simple objects: You should be able to name simple everyday objects like "ball", "cup", "dog", "cat".
• Vocabulary: He should have at least 50 words in his vocabulary. Maybe even more.
• Understanding for Parents: Both the mother and the father should understand at least half (50%) of what the child is saying. Maybe an outsider, a grandparent, might not understand as much, but the mother and father should understand what their child is trying to say.

These are the basic things that are usually expected from a two-year-old child.

When you go from two to three years old - another improvement!

Between the ages of two and three, your little one's vocabulary grows even faster, and their comprehension skills improve significantly. By the time they're about three years old, we should expect things like this:

• Three-word sentences: You should be able to speak three-word sentences such as "Mom is eating rice", "I am playing", and "I want a big ball".
• A large vocabulary: He should have a vocabulary of more than 200 words! Simply put, he should know and use more words than you can count.
• Understanding by most people: Now, not only mom and dad, but also other people they meet frequently (for example, grandparents, close relatives) should understand about 75%, or about three-quarters, of what they say.
• Understanding prepositions: Understands prepositions, such as words like "up", "down", "inside", "outside". For example, when you say 'put the toy on the table' or 'get the ball from under the bed', he should understand and be able to do it that way.
• Use of pronouns: He begins to use pronouns, that is, words like 'I', 'you', 'he', 'it', etc., in his speech.

If you feel like your little one hasn't reached these levels, it's best to talk to a doctor about it.

Why are some children late in speaking? (Possible Causes of Language Delay)

Okay, now you're probably wondering, "Why is this happening to only my baby?" or "What's causing this?" There are several reasons that can contribute to a language delay. Don't worry, not all of these reasons will apply to your child, but it's important to be aware of them.

• Hearing problems: This is often the first thing to look for. Young children can have hearing problems. For example, glue ear, a condition where fluid builds up in the eardrum, can make it difficult for them to hear words. Think about it, how can they learn to speak if they can't hear words properly, right?
• Developmental conditions: Some developmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can also cause speech delays. But remember, not all speech delays are caused by a serious condition. Only a doctor can diagnose it for sure. So don't jump to conclusions.
• Decreased environmental stimulation: This can often happen when the child's home environment lacks stimulation, such as talking to him, playing with him, and reading books. A child learns language by listening and imitating.
• Oral-motor issues: Weakness or problems with the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and lips can make it difficult to pronounce words correctly.
• Late Talkers:There are some children who, although they are developing well in all other aspects, such as walking, playing, and understanding things, are a little late in talking. These are called ``Late Talkers''. However, most of these children catch up with other children after a while.
• Family history: Sometimes, if someone in the family was late in speaking as a child, that can also have an impact.

When should we think more about this? What should we do?

So, if you feel like your little one is a little behind the age-related milestones mentioned above, please don't be too worried about it, but definitely talk to your family doctor or pediatrician. This is the best and most important step you can take.

The doctor will listen carefully to what you say and examine the child.

The child's ears may be examined to determine if there is a hearing problem. If necessary, a hearing test may be ordered.

In addition, if necessary, you may be advised to see a speech and language therapist. These speech therapists are people who are specifically trained to help children with speech, language comprehension, and communication problems. They can help your child in a way that is appropriate for them.

Remember, if something like this is detected early and the necessary help is provided, the outcomes are much better. So don't panic or delay by saying, "Let's wait a little longer," and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Things parents can do at home

In addition to medical advice and, if necessary, therapeutic services, there are many simple, yet very important things you can do at home to help your little one develop their speech skills.

• Talk to your baby often: This is the most important thing. Tell your baby about everything you do and see in simple words that he can understand. Things like "Mommy is making milk for you now", "Look at this beautiful colorful flower", "Let's go take a bath now". It doesn't matter if he doesn't answer, don't stop talking.
• Read books, show pictures: Buy books with big, colorful pictures and talk to your baby about the things in them. For example, "Here's a dog, look at the dog making 'buh buh' sounds." It doesn't matter if you read the same book several times a day, little ones love it, and it makes it easier to remember words.
• Sing songs, sing nursery rhymes: They listen with great interest when you sing things like nursery rhymes and songs to the rhythm. And the words get stuck in their heads.
• Listen carefully to what they are trying to say: When your child is trying to say something, pay close attention to it. Even if they say a word incorrectly, don't scold them by saying, "That's wrong, that's how it is."Instead, you should say the word correctly and show that you understand what he is trying to say. For example, if your baby says "tata" and asks for water, you should say, "Hey, son, do you want water? Here is water."
• Ask questions, but don't force answers: Sometimes it's better to name things yourself than to keep asking, "What is this?" Like, "This is a big red car." He'll answer when he's ready.
• Extend what he says: If your baby says "car," you can add more words to what he says, like "Yes, that's a big red car, isn't it? It's going fast," and say it in a longer sentence. This is called `(Expansion)`.
• Keep your child away from screens like TV, phones, and tablets: Especially for children under two years old, exposing them to these screens can be a major obstacle to their language development. When they are looking at these, they lose valuable time to talk, play, and interact with others. Instead, it is much more valuable to talk to them directly and play together.
• Play: Playing with your little ones can help them develop their language skills. Do things like talking to dolls, making animal sounds, and talking about building things with blocks.

The most important thing to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

Finally, I have to tell you this. Every child develops at their own pace and in their own way. So don't worry yourself unnecessarily by comparing them to other children. But, as a mother or father, if you have a little doubt or fear in your heart, saying, "My baby's speech seems a little late, doesn't it?", please don't ignore it.

The best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor or pediatrician about that little doubt you have. They will guide you exactly.

By providing the necessary support and guidance early on, you can pave the way for your little one to speak beautifully and clearly. Don't worry, you are not alone in this journey! Many parents face similar experiences. The important thing is to be aware of it in time and take the necessary steps.

Language Delay, toddler speech, speech delay, children's language development, two-year-old child, three-year-old child, Speech Therapist