Is your little one late in speaking? Let's talk about Language Delay!

Do you think your two-and-a-half-year-old daughter spoke less than her older sister at that age? You probably know that young children develop language skills, that is, how to speak and understand, at different times and at different speeds. This is true even for siblings in the same family. So as a mother or father, it is very reasonable for you to have a little fear and doubt in your mind. "Is my child speaking at a rate appropriate for his age?" This is a question that many parents have. So, today we will talk about this language delay, or `(Language Delay)`. Let's talk clearly about what is "normal" for this age and when we should be a little more careful.

What should we expect from a two-year-old?

Now let's see what we can expect from your little one in terms of language, that is, speaking ability, at exactly two years old. But it is important to remember that these are just general guidelines. Not all children are the same. Some children may be a little further away from these things. Some speak a little earlier, some a little later. This is often normal. However, it is very important for you and your child to pay a little attention to these things.

• Start saying short sentences of two words: At this age, you may see your baby trying to say short sentences by putting two words together like "Mom, rice," "I want water," "Give me the ball," "Tata, go," and "Baby, no." Imagine, when he wants something, if he tries to say it in two words or with difficulty, it is a good sign of the child's language development. Small sentences that express his needs, wants, and dislikes like "I want more," "No, that's it," and "My ball" fall into this category.

• Understand and follow simple two-step instructions: Your child should be able to understand and follow two simple instructions in a row. For example, if you say, "Take your toy car and put it in that box," see if he understands and tries to do both steps—picking up the car and putting it in the box. Another example is something like, "Put your slippers on and come out." You may need a little help at first, but the important thing is that he understands and tries to do it. This shows whether he can listen to you, understand, and remember what you say. This ability is very important for further language learning.

• They should be able to identify and name simple objects: When you point to simple things that they see and use frequently around the house, such as their toys, and ask, "What is this, son/daughter?", they should be able to say at least a few words, such as "ball," "car," "dog," "chair," and "milk bottle." Encourage them to talk about the things they see and like, and to name them. This will help them expand their vocabulary.

• At least 50 words should be in the vocabulary: By now, he should have at least 50 words stored in his little head. It's hard to count this exactly, isn't it? But if you pay a little attention to the words he uses frequently, and the new words he adds to his speech, you can get a rough idea of ​​this. Maybe the words he says are a little unclear, the pronunciation may not be quite right. But the important thing is that he tries, that he tries to express himself using words.

• A story that parents can understand at least 50%: You, the mother or father, or the person who takes care of the child, should be able to understand at least half (50%) of what your child says. Others, relatives, neighbors may not understand everything he says. That is not a big problem at this age. Because you are the one who spends the most time with him, you are the one who is most familiar with his little "language". So if you understand at least 50% of what he tries to say, that can be considered a good level.

Things to expect between the ages of two and three (at 3 years old)

As a child approaches the age of two and three, his vocabulary begins to grow more rapidly, and his ability to understand things increases significantly. Now let's look at what we can expect from a child at about three years old.

• Should be able to say three-word sentences: Just like he said two-word sentences before, he should now be able to say three-word sentences like "Mom is eating rice", "Dad is at work", "I want the ball", "A big car". Some children are also starting to say four- or five-word sentences. This shows the speed at which his language skills are developing.

• A vocabulary of 200 or more words (too many to count!): By now, your child should have a much larger vocabulary. In other words, he should know more words than you can easily count. That means 200 words or more. He is picking up new words very quickly at this age. He is constantly adding new words from what you say and what he hears around him.

• At least 75% of what is said should be understandable to others: It used to be said that parents should understand 50% of what is said. But by the age of three, about three-quarters (75%) of what a child says should be understandable to those who are talking to him, even to a stranger. His speech is starting to become clearer.

• He should be able to understand prepositions: words like "above", "under", "inside", "near", that is, he should be able to understand and act on them. For example, if we say "put the doll under the chair", he should be able to understand it. If we say "put the book on the table", he should understand it. Understanding these means that his language comprehension is at a good level.

• He should start using pronouns: He should start using pronouns like "I", "you", "he", "we", "it" in his speech. He will use these words to say things like "I want", "you come", "that's beautiful". This is also an important step in language development.

"Remember, there's no rule that every child will do these things at this exact time. But these are the things we typically see. If your child seems a little behind on these things, watch them a little longer before getting worried."

What should you do if you still have doubts, or if your child seems to be late?

Okay, considering the facts we've just discussed, if you feel that your child hasn't reached these language levels yet, or if you have any serious doubts or fears, please talk to your family doctor or a pediatrician about it. This is very important.

Sometimes it may not be anything. Some children develop these language skills a little slowly. That may be the nature of that child. However, sometimes if there is some language delay, a little intervention, help, training early, that is, at an early stage , can make a big difference and a big improvement in the child's future speaking ability and learning ability.

A doctor will ask you more about your child, observe the child's speech and behavior, and examine the child. They may also refer you to a hearing test to see if your child can hear. If your child cannot hear well, it is difficult to learn to speak. They may also refer you to a Speech and Language Therapist, who is specially trained to help children with language delays.

Don't be afraid of any of this. All of this is done to provide the best support your child needs. The earlier you identify it, the easier it is to help, and the better the results.

Little things you can do at home

Until you see a doctor, there are small things you can do at home to help your child develop their language skills:

• Talk to your child often: Tell your child about what you are doing and what you see, in simple words. Like "Mommy is cooking rice now," or "Look at that beautiful bird."
• Read books: Look at colorful picture books with your child and talk about what they are saying. It's also important for your child to listen.
• Listen to what your child is saying: When he or she is trying to say something, listen patiently. Try to understand what he or she is saying.
• Ask and answer questions: Ask simple questions, "Where is the ball?", "What do you want to eat?". Encourage him when he tries to answer.
• Play: Talking and teaching words while playing is very effective.

Finally, things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, moms and dads, it's a good idea to pay attention to your child's speech and language development. It's important to remember that every child is different, and to seek medical advice if you suspect there may be a delay.

"If you have even the slightest doubt, don't just think, 'This could just be something,' but talk to a doctor and clear up that doubt. That's the best thing you can do for your child."

Don't worry, but be careful. Good luck to your child!

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