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Speech & Language

From first babbles to first sentences — speech milestones and how to encourage talking.

62 expert articles
My 2-Year-Old Is Not Talking! Is It Normal?Linguistic
My 2-Year-Old Is Not Talking! Is It Normal?
As parents, it’s common to have questions about our children’s development. One question we often hear is, ‘My 2-year-old child is not talking, is it
Oct 26, 2023 · 4 min read
Reading Corner: Creating an Inviting Environment in The ClassroomLinguistic
Reading Corner: Creating an Inviting Environment in The Classroom
A reading corner is a space dedicated to developing and fostering love for books and the habit of reading. Reading plays a fundamental role in the cog
Sep 26, 2023 · 5 min read
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): What It Is, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentsLinguistic
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): What It Is, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to sequence the necessary movements to produce speech sounds. It’s impo
Sep 18, 2023 · 3 min read
My Baby Ignores Me When I Call His Name!Linguistic
My Baby Ignores Me When I Call His Name!
“I’m worried! My baby ignores me when I call his name!”. Do you have this concern? Keep reading to find out why this might be happening and how to hel
Apr 03, 2023 · 5 min read
How Do I Know If My Child Has a Language Delay?Linguistic
How Do I Know If My Child Has a Language Delay?
Language delay has become one of the most concerning topics for today’s parents. And thanks to technology and a everything-must-be-shared culture, we
Feb 13, 2023 · 7 min read
When Do Babies Babble And How To Encourage ItLinguistic
When Do Babies Babble And How To Encourage It
Babbling is an important stage of your baby’s language development. Would you like to know when do babies babble and what are some habits to encourage
Apr 19, 2022 · 5 min read
Premature Birth: Signs And Risk FactorsLinguistic
Premature Birth: Signs And Risk Factors
Prematurity may be more common than you might think. Knowing the risk factors and some signs of premature birth can help prevent it. Although not an i
Mar 25, 2022 · 6 min read
When Do Babies Recognize Their Name?Linguistic
When Do Babies Recognize Their Name?
When do babies recognize their name? Learn when and how to help your baby develop critical receptive language skills from day one! From the moment you
Nov 29, 2021 · 6 min read
5 questions to ask your pediatricianLinguistic
5 questions to ask your pediatrician
When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you have dozens of questions, so you call your pediatrician. A lot. As your child grows, you begin to
Apr 15, 2021 · 5 min read
Raising bilingual children: how-to and benefitsLinguistic
Raising bilingual children: how-to and benefits
Have you heard about the great benefits of learning more than one language and you would like to know more about the subject? In this article, we will
Apr 07, 2021 · 5 min read
Making home speech therapy activities fun! | BetterSpeechLinguistic
Making home speech therapy activities fun! | BetterSpeech
If you’re working with a speech pathologist to help improve your child’s speech, language, or communication development, it’s important to practice th
Feb 19, 2021 · 4 min read
How to encourage your baby to talkLinguistic
How to encourage your baby to talk
Key points:1. Speech development strategies:0 to 12 months: Narrate daily activities, make interactions fun, give praise.8 to 14 months: Choose a topi
Jul 13, 2020 · 3 min read
A speechy quarantineLinguistic
A speechy quarantine
Here are what I’m calling my quarantine-4: my top speechy activities for passing the days with your little friend in tow at home! 1) Stations Introduc
Jun 23, 2020 · 3 min read
5 love books for childrenLinguistic
5 love books for children
Key points:Book recommendations for Valentine’s Day: Todd Parr’s “”The I Love You Book.”” Anna Dewdney’s “”Llama Llama I Love You.”” L
Feb 10, 2020 · 3 min read
Rhymes and tongue twistersLinguistic
Rhymes and tongue twisters
Key points: Babies learn language from listening to people around them, and as they get older, they start to comprehend and express themselves verball
Nov 19, 2019 · 4 min read
A speechy start to solidsLinguistic
A speechy start to solids
Introducing solids to a baby is very exciting. And since we use the same parts of our mouth for eating and for talking, why not work on both of them a
Nov 11, 2019 · 3 min read
Pronunciation in your little one Part 2Linguistic
Pronunciation in your little one Part 2
Key points:1. Consonant pronunciation development is crucial for speech and academic success.2. Alveolar consonants (t, d, n) are among the first soun
Oct 05, 2019 · 5 min read
Pronunciation in your little one Part 1Linguistic
Pronunciation in your little one Part 1
Key points:1. Phonology is the study of speech and word sounds in a child’s language development.2. It’s a cognitive skill crucial for academic succes
Oct 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Is it ok if my child makes grammar mistakes?Linguistic
Is it ok if my child makes grammar mistakes?
Key points: Language development in early childhood involves exposure to language and the natural emergence of grammar rules. Overregularization is th
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
The benefits of “toy talk” Linguistic
The benefits of “toy talk”
Key points: “Toy talk” is a new technique proposed by the University of Illinois to improve language skills in children. Toy talk consists of modeling
Oct 02, 2019 · 3 min read
Language skills: GrammarLinguistic
Language skills: Grammar
Key points: Grammar development starts at a young age and is crucial in helping children express their ideas clearly. Exposure to language is key in d
Oct 02, 2019 · 4 min read
8 activities to improve pronunciationLinguistic
8 activities to improve pronunciation
Key points: Language development begins early and involves mastering sounds. Encourage clear pronunciation through fun activities and examples. Bingo,
Oct 01, 2019 · 4 min read
Sign language: Teaching my child to communicate with his handsLinguistic
Sign language: Teaching my child to communicate with his hands
Key points: 1. Baby sign language encourages early communication. 2. It reduces frustration and supports language development. 3. Start with simple, m
Apr 09, 2019 · 3 min read
How to foster your child’s problem-solving skills through gesturesLinguistic
How to foster your child’s problem-solving skills through gestures
Key points:1. Children understand concepts like big and small and start grasping numbers and spatial prepositions.2. Gestures play a role in how child
Apr 09, 2019 · 3 min read
How gestures impact your child’s learning processLinguistic
How gestures impact your child’s learning process
Key points:1. Babies start communicating through gestures around 5 months.2. Gestures facilitate learning by regulating children’s attention and provi
Apr 09, 2019 · 3 min read
How is your baby’s talking timeline?Linguistic
How is your baby’s talking timeline?
Key points:1. Children’s language development progresses in distinct stages during the first few years.2. Babies start with vowel and guttural sounds,
Apr 08, 2019 · 5 min read
Conversational skills are linked to future cognitive outcomesLinguistic
Conversational skills are linked to future cognitive outcomes
Key points: Conversational turn-taking is crucial for language development in children between 18 and 24 months. Children engaged in conversations dur
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
What building blocks ensure future reading success?Linguistic
What building blocks ensure future reading success?
Key points: 1. Literacy involves more than just reading; it includes writing, learning, comprehension, and spelling. 2. Early literacy development sta
Feb 12, 2019 · 3 min read
Wintry activities for your little oneLinguistic
Wintry activities for your little one
Key points: Reading winter-themed books with touch and feel elements is a great way to expose 1-2 year olds to the season. Activities for this age gro
Dec 12, 2018 · 4 min read
Get speechy this fall with these activities!Linguistic
Get speechy this fall with these activities!
Key points: Nature walks are a fun way to get children to practice mindfulness and observe their surroundings, and can be turned into a scavenger hunt
Nov 01, 2018 · 3 min read
Are you talking to me?Linguistic
Are you talking to me?
Key points: MIT’s research supports the idea that back-and-forth conversation with parents helps foster children’s communication skills and brain resp
Oct 16, 2018 · 3 min read
The influence of attention and caregiver-input on language developmentLinguistic
The influence of attention and caregiver-input on language development
Key points: 1. Environment and attentional abilities impact language development. 2. Attentional abilities progress from face-to-face to including obj
Sep 13, 2018 · 3 min read
Top 5 traveling tipsLinguistic
Top 5 traveling tips
Key points: 1. Limit screen time for kids (2-5 years). 2. Pack appropriate entertainment for the trip. 3. Engage in word games to boost speech and lan
Jul 05, 2018 · 3 min read
Making spring cleaning speechyLinguistic
Making spring cleaning speechy
Key points: 1. Children’s involvement in household cleaning promotes empathy and social connections. 2. Providing kids with their own cleaning tools m
May 16, 2018 · 4 min read
How to help your little one love storytime?Linguistic
How to help your little one love storytime?
Key points: Begin reading to your baby early with short and simple books, focusing on one concept at a time to match their level of understanding. Cho
Apr 04, 2018 · 6 min read
The special power of rhymesLinguistic
The special power of rhymes
Key points:1. Nursery rhymes prepare children for learning to read by teaching phonemes and spelling.2. Phonological awareness is the first step in re
Jan 29, 2018 · 3 min read
How can I help my child learn the names of the body parts?Linguistic
How can I help my child learn the names of the body parts?
Key points: Children around 36 months start using more advanced vocabulary. They name smaller body parts like eyebrows, nails, and knees. Expose them
Jan 26, 2018 · 3 min read
How to incorporate reading into your toddler’s daily routineLinguistic
How to incorporate reading into your toddler’s daily routine
Key points:1. Reading with your preschooler promotes language development and bonding.2. Choose a suitable time for reading, like bedtime, to unwind a
Jan 24, 2018 · 3 min read
The speech teacher’s top 5 language boosting tips for your little oneLinguistic
The speech teacher’s top 5 language boosting tips for your little one
Key Points: 1. Create opportunities for interaction with your child by placing desired items out of their reach, encouraging identification of everyda
Jan 11, 2018 · 5 min read
How does music boost language development?Linguistic
How does music boost language development?
Key points: 1. Singing to infants, like lullabies and nursery rhymes, is a vital part of language development, preparing them for language acquisition
Dec 14, 2017 · 3 min read
The best way to read with your 2-year-oldLinguistic
The best way to read with your 2-year-old
Including reading time in your daily routine not only boosts your kid’s language development, but it provides special one-on-one quality time that str
Nov 15, 2017 · 3 min read
What’s the importance of baby-talk?Linguistic
What’s the importance of baby-talk?
Why do, all of a sudden, adults become fluent in “motherese” or baby-talk when there’s a baby in the proximity? Key Points: 1. Baby-talk, characterize
Nov 08, 2017 · 3 min read
My baby’s first wordsLinguistic
My baby’s first words
Key points:1. Babies learn to talk through imitation and association.2. A baby’s first words, like “mama” or “dada,” start as babbling sounds.3. To st
Sep 27, 2017 · 5 min read
How to ignite bilingual learningLinguistic
How to ignite bilingual learning
Key points: 1. Babies can learn a second language with a play-based program in just one hour per day. 2. Bilingualism enhances cognitive skills, espec
Aug 10, 2017 · 4 min read
When does language development start?Linguistic
When does language development start?
Key points: 1. Language learning begins in the womb, impacting how babies perceive sounds and languages. 2. Newborns recognize and prefer voices and r
Jun 08, 2017 · 3 min read
How do babies’ first words come about?Linguistic
How do babies’ first words come about?
Key points: Researchers at Indiana University and the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered that a toddler’s visual experience may play a cr
Jan 25, 2017 · 4 min read
Can background noise hinder a toddler’s ability to learn new words?Linguistic
Can background noise hinder a toddler’s ability to learn new words?
Key points: 1. Excessive background noise at home or school can hinder toddlers’ ability to learn new words. 2. Research by Brianna McMillan and Jenny
Aug 25, 2016 · 3 min read
How can I use baby sign language with my baby?Linguistic
How can I use baby sign language with my baby?
If you have been paying close attention to your baby, you have probably noticed that before they can even talk, they have been trying to communicate w
Jun 01, 2016 · 3 min read
How should I use technology with my baby?Linguistic
How should I use technology with my baby?
It’s the 21st century and technology is all around us! In fact, technology is what is allowing me to write this and you to read it. So yes! Technology
Feb 04, 2016 · 4 min read
What are the benefits of being bilingual?Linguistic
What are the benefits of being bilingual?
Key points: 1. Learning multiple languages enhances social and cognitive development in children. 2. Children who are bilingual often excel in cogniti
Sep 15, 2015 · 4 min read
How ‘gaze shifting’ helps babies learn new languagesLinguistic
How ‘gaze shifting’ helps babies learn new languages
Key points: Babies learn new languages best through social interaction rather than audio or video. A study by the Institute for Learning & Brain Scien
Aug 11, 2015 · 3 min read
How to choose the right books for your babyLinguistic
How to choose the right books for your baby
Key Points: Reading with your baby can significantly improve their language skills and strengthen the emotional bond between parent and child. Reading
Apr 29, 2015 · 3 min read
How to read with a 1-year-oldLinguistic
How to read with a 1-year-old
Key points: Start reading with your baby early, making it a daily habit. Respect your baby’s preferences; don’t force reading if they resist. Adapt re
Apr 09, 2015 · 4 min read
When to start reading to a babyLinguistic
When to start reading to a baby
Key points: 1. Reading daily fosters a strong parent-child bond and prepares children for kindergarten. 2. Babies, even very young ones, absorb inform
Feb 26, 2015 · 3 min read
2 books recomendations about temper tantrumsLinguistic
2 books recomendations about temper tantrums
Key points: 1. Tantrums are common in toddlers aged 1 to 3 as they can’t express feelings through words yet. 2. Stay calm and set a good example when
Feb 05, 2015 · 3 min read
How to raise a readerLinguistic
How to raise a reader
Key points: 1. Reading for pleasure boosts literacy skills, vocabulary, self-confidence, and knowledge in children. 2. Reading books to your child is
Jan 15, 2015 · 3 min read
How hand gestures impact your child’s language developmentLinguistic
How hand gestures impact your child’s language development
Key points: Hand gestures are natural and prevalent in communication across different cultures and are important in language development, as children
Jan 07, 2015 · 4 min read
2 books recommendations about self-controlLinguistic
2 books recommendations about self-control
Key points: 1. Reading to your child daily is highly beneficial for their brain, language, social skills, and self-control. 2. Books help children und
Nov 13, 2014 · 3 min read
How to teach emotional intelligenceLinguistic
How to teach emotional intelligence
Key points: 1. Books are effective tools to help children identify and understand different emotions. 2. Babies are born with various emotions, and th
Oct 08, 2014 · 3 min read
What are the benefits of reading to babies?Linguistic
What are the benefits of reading to babies?
Key points: 1. Reading aloud with children has numerous benefits for brain development, language skills, and social skills. 2. Daily reading builds a
Sep 13, 2014 · 3 min read
How parental engagement promotes language developmentLinguistic
How parental engagement promotes language development
Key points: The first years of life are crucial for brain development due to the brain’s high malleability. “Serve and return” interactions between ad
Jun 26, 2014 · 3 min read
Linguistic development in early childhoodLinguistic
Linguistic development in early childhood
Key points: Baby’s language development begins before first words. First attempts at language include cries, coos, and babbling. First words typically
Jun 16, 2014 · 3 min read
How do children learn to speak?Linguistic
How do children learn to speak?
Language acquisition is a complex process involving cognitive and physical development. Phonemes are units of speech sounds in every language. Children…
Jan 26, 2018 · 2 min read
Choosing the right books for your preschoolerLinguistic
Choosing the right books for your preschooler
Reading with your preschooler enhances their language skills and strengthens your emotional connection. Choose books with attractive illustrations, favorite…
Jan 26, 2018 · 2 min read
The best way to read with your 3-year-oldLinguistic
The best way to read with your 3-year-old
1. Reading with preschoolers builds vocabulary and strengthens the parent-child bond. 2. Making reading a daily routine, like bedtime, is a great idea. 3. At…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
How is my two-year-old's linguistic development?Linguistic
How is my two-year-old's linguistic development?
1. Around age two, children understand and start using more words, forming sentences. 2. Avoid comparing your child's language skills to others of the same…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
How is my three-year-old's linguistic development?Linguistic
How is my three-year-old's linguistic development?
1. Around age three, children have a vocabulary of 300 or more words and can acquire 4-6 words daily. 2. Improved language skills lead to asking more "why,"…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
My little one stutters, should I be concerned?Linguistic
My little one stutters, should I be concerned?
1. Stuttering in children around age two or three is common and often temporary. 2. Actual stuttering is when it persists for over two to three months and…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Pattern recognition: The key to language developmentLinguistic
Pattern recognition: The key to language development
1. Children's language development is linked to their ability to recognize patterns. 2. A study with 6 to 8-year-olds found a strong connection between…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Literacy development: The importance of phonological awarenessLinguistic
Literacy development: The importance of phonological awareness
1. Phonological awareness is crucial for literacy development in preschoolers. 2. Teach your child the sounds of letters, not just their names. 3. Engage in…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Receptive language: What your two-year-old really understandsLinguistic
Receptive language: What your two-year-old really understands
1. A two-year-old's receptive language is developing rapidly, understanding around 200-300 words. 2. Receptive language is the ability to understand words…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Detecting a language delayLinguistic
Detecting a language delay
1. Preschool years exhibit significant variation in language development. 2. Talkativeness doesn't equate to intelligence or vocabulary richness. 3. Language…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Learning the rules of languageLinguistic
Learning the rules of language
1. Children naturally learn language and grammar rules through use. 2. They acquire the specific dialect of those around them. 3. Children use pronouns like…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
5 simple ways to teach communication skillsLinguistic
5 simple ways to teach communication skills
1. Communication is vital for sharing ideas and feelings. 2. Children develop communication skills rapidly in early years. 3. Listening, asking questions,…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: Speaking in sentencesLinguistic
Language milestones: Speaking in sentences
1. Children's first sentences are a significant milestone in language development. 2. Between 18 and 24 months, they begin forming two-word phrases. 3. By…
Jan 29, 2018 · 2 min read
How to encourage my little one's language developmentLinguistic
How to encourage my little one's language development
Language skills start developing from birth through everyday interactions with caregivers. Talking with children during daily routines and encouraging them…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Facts about learning a second languageLinguistic
Facts about learning a second language
Children can learn to speak more than one language at the same time, and being bilingual has many advantages such as having a broader vocabulary and better…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Speech sounds that might be hard to pronounceLinguistic
Speech sounds that might be hard to pronounce
Children may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds as they develop their language skills. Most children learn to pronounce all word sounds correctly by…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
How to help your little one learn new wordsLinguistic
How to help your little one learn new words
A child's vocabulary is directly related to later academic success. By age two, children's vocabulary expands significantly, reaching up to fifty or more…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: learning to use verbsLinguistic
Language milestones: learning to use verbs
Children typically begin using verbs or action words in their second year of life, which is an important milestone for language development. There is…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Why are quality interactions important?Linguistic
Why are quality interactions important?
The quality of interactions between parents and children is more important than the number of words children hear for language development. Joint attention,…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Tips for teaching listening skillsLinguistic
Tips for teaching listening skills
As your preschooler's vocabulary expands, their ability to understand more complex language and longer sentences increases. Getting your child's attention is…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: others can understand what my daughter says!Linguistic
Language milestones: others can understand what my daughter says!
There was probably a point in which you were the only one that could decipher what your little one was trying to say –it might even have been not so long…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Do boys' and girls' brains process language differently?Linguistic
Do boys' and girls' brains process language differently?
Girls have superior linguistic skills compared to boys. Girls rely on different parts of the brain to complete language tasks compared to boys. Girls' left…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Tips for having meaningful conversations with your childLinguistic
Tips for having meaningful conversations with your child
Meaningful conversations involve a back and forth exchange between two or more people. Having meaningful conversations with your child builds their…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: learning to use pronounsLinguistic
Language milestones: learning to use pronouns
Pronouns are words that replace specific nouns and give information about gender or number. There are different types of pronouns, subjective and objective,…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: using pluralsLinguistic
Language milestones: using plurals
Plural form of a noun indicates that we are talking about more than one person or object. Regular plural involves adding an “s” at the end of a word and…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Language milestones: answering simple questionsLinguistic
Language milestones: answering simple questions
As your child's pronunciation improves, it becomes easier for others to understand them. This milestone is reached gradually and varies for each child. Good…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
Pragmatics: teaching social communication skillsLinguistic
Pragmatics: teaching social communication skills
Pragmatics, or social communication rules, are vital for effective language use. Teach them the importance of nonverbal communication and understanding…
Jan 30, 2018 · 2 min read
A speechy quarantineLinguistic
A speechy quarantine
Here are what I’m calling my quarantine-4 : my top speechy activities for passing the days with your little friend in tow at home! 1) Stations Introducing…
Jun 23, 2020 · 3 min read

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