Speech and language begin developing even before a child is born as the hearing mechanism is present and functional even before birth! But what if you're afraid something isn't quite right? Don't hesitate to seek a professional opinion. Speech-Language Pathologists are trained in identifying and treating speech, language, and communication delays. Wondering when you should seek help?
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Meal times are a great time to target speech and language. We eat every day, 3-4 times a day. Some easy targets/ideas for areas of weakness:
Mom friends are always coming to me with "My kid does this... Is it normal??" So let's dive in.
What's normal kid speech? First, you need to understand that speech sounds are acquired at different times, and in ranges just like with other milestones, such as crawling, walking, and getting their first tooth. As with learning to walk, there are stages to learning to talk and learning language. I won't go into too much detail, but your baby starts to babble and put sounds together between 6-9 months, and by the age of 4, you should be able to understand 100% of what your kiddo says. That's a lot to learn in just 4 years! |
AuthorRachelle Gianaris, Speech-Language Pathologist, specializes in pediatric speech and language disorders. She lives in Knoxville, TN, with her husband and daughter. Archives |