Communicating With Your Baby or Toddler

Communication is more than sounds and words - it is sharing ideas, feelings, wants and needs. When you interact with your baby/toddler and respond to his/her efforts to communicate, your child learns they can influence the world around them (Speech Services Niagara). Babies and older toddlers generally understand far more than they are able to express themselves (Reese, 1998).

Language can develop smoothly and continuously or in jumps and spurts. There is a great variation in the onset of expressive language so try not to compare your child's language development to other children (Reese, 1998). You can best help your child develop language skills by providing a variety of interactive experiences for your child. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Infants (birth - 1 year)
As soon as you hold your baby after birth, you will begin to communicate with each other by exchanging your first glances, sounds, and touches. Your newborn is already learning about the world through his senses. Crying is your baby's main method of communication although as he gets older he will begin to babble and make noises.
You can support your baby's efforts at communicating by:

• Reading books and singing songs to your child on a daily basis
• Play babbling games with your baby -e.g. babababa, dadadada, mamama
• Imitate the sounds your baby makes
• Say your child's name often
• Move and name various body parts+
• Smile and maintain eye contact with your baby

Older Babies (1-2 years)
Your baby is listening to everything you say and he's storing it away an incredible rate. Language development really takes off during this time, especially as your baby approaches his second birthday. Repetition is important. Speak slowly and keep things simple. Incorporate some of the following activities into your interactions:

• Teach your child common rhymes and simple games like "Pat-a-Cake" and "Peek-a-Boo"
• Read simple books especially ones that have one picture and one or two words to a page. Point to the picture, say what it is and encourage your child to do the same.
• Make your own picture/word books - one subject only (cars, dogs, kittens)
• Expose your child to different sounds and identify them - bell, telephone, clock
• Instead of using "baby" words, teach your child the correct name for things e.g. train not choo-choo, dog not bow-wow.
• Listen for and repeat single words or sounds. Your child might say "ba" for baby. Praise his/her efforts with comments like "Yes, that is a baby."
• Teach playful sounds such as tongue clicking, kissing sounds, a "raspberry" and encourage tongue exercises such as moving the tongue from side to side, sticking it out/in, reaching for your chin/nose, etc.
• If your child uses gestures to communicate (like pointing to something he wants) respond with sentences to encourage your child to interact with you.

For example: if the child points to the refrigerator, you can ask "Do you want a drink?" and wait for a response. Then say, "Do you want apple juice?" (again waiting for a response) then, "Okay, let's get some apple juice." Be sensitive to your child's mood and/or stage of development and do not withhold food or drink waiting for a verbal response.

Toddlers (2-3 years)
The more you can involve your child in interactive conversations and play, the more your child will learn. Reading books, singing, playing word games and simply talking to your child will increase her vocabulary and listening skills. Build on what you have been doing all along:

• Continue to read to and sing with your child every day - encourage them to join in with words they know.
• Encourage "pretend" reading - let your child pretend he is reading the book to you
• Talk to your toddler about what he/she did during the day or your plans for tomorrow. "I think it's going to rain this afternoon. What shall we do?"
• Play make-believe and language games like "I spy with my little eye... "
• Introduce new words in a meaningful context, e.g. name specific foods at dinner time, point out objects when on a walk
• Speak directly to your child and give him/her enough time to respond. Try not to call out from another room.
• Avoid finishing sentences for your child or correcting their pronunciation. Instead, emphasize the correct pronunciation in your response.

Concerned about your child's communication skills?
Although each child develops at his own individual pace, when it comes to language skills, by the age of 2 most children can follow simple directions and can speak between 50 and 200 words. By age 3 children should be using language freely, experimenting with verbal sounds and beginning to use language to solve problems and learn concepts.

Parents who suspect that their child is having trouble with hearing, language acquisition or speech clarity should not hesitate to talk with their family doctor. 18 months of age is not too young for a referral for a speech/language evaluation, particularly if the child is not following directions or answering "yes or no" to simple questions. If you think your child is experiencing a speech delay, please contact Speech Services Niagara at 905-688-3550 or 1-800-896-5496.

Sources:
American Medical Association - Medical Library.
· Communication and Your 1-2 Year Old
· Communication and your 2-3 Year Old

Reese, D. (June 1998). Speech Development in the Infant & Toddler

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