Early Childhood Communication Development
Being able to communicate fluently is a significant part of being human: It allows a person to learn, build relationships and succeed in life. Children begin to communicate from the time they are born, and from there they learn the vast rules that make up speech and language. It is important to keep the lines of communication open with them and to be aware of signs pointing to developmental delays.
Speech and Language
Speech and language are two interrelated, but different building blocks of communication. They are both tools that allow humans to convey ideas, thoughts and concerns. Speech is the act of talking. Language is the framework of rules that allow a group of people to exchange words with meaning. Language doesn’t require speech, as it may be signed, written or gestured 1.
- Speech and language are two interrelated, but different building blocks of communication.
- Language is the framework of rules that allow a group of people to exchange words with meaning.
The First Five Years
Early Language Development in Children Ages 3-5
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The first five years of a child’s life are the most significant when it comes to his ability to communicate effectively. These years can be broken up into three different periods. The first period, which establishes the foundation of later communication, starts at birth when infants communicate through facial expressions and cries. The second period of communication, from six months to 18 months, signifies a time when infants begin to intentionally communicate even if they can’t necessarily verbalize all of their needs. The third period, 18 months through five years, is the time when a child begins to use language in order to learn and communicate.
- The first five years of a child’s life are the most significant when it comes to his ability to communicate effectively.
- The third period, 18 months through five years, is the time when a child begins to use language in order to learn and communicate.
Developmental Milestones
Although every child learns and grows at a different pace, there is a general timeline that suggests when one will begin to reach communication milestones. Health professionals can look at this timeline to assess a child’s progress. A six-month-old child, for example, can generally respond by turning his head and eyes when his name is spoken. By the time he is 18 months old, he should have a vocabulary of between five and 20 words, and he should be able to follow simple commands. At 36 months, his vocabulary will have generally expanded to between 900 to 1,000 words. By age 5, he should understand concepts relating to time, and he should be able to use descriptive language.
- Although every child learns and grows at a different pace, there is a general timeline that suggests when one will begin to reach communication milestones.
Learning Bilingual Communication
Signs of Autism at 1 Year Old
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Since a young child is wired to learn communication skills at such a rapid pace, he is like a sponge when it comes to picking up any and all languages. Early childhood is an ideal time to teach a child more than one language. A child that learns two languages in equal proportion may develop at a different pace than children around him, but he will emerge with extra life skills. He should reach similar milestones (such as speaking his first words by 1 year of age and using two-word phrases by age 2,) but he may mix up rules of grammar and mix up languages for a while. Moreover, if a new language is added in beyond his native tongue, he may briefly exhibit a normal period of silence.
- Since a young child is wired to learn communication skills at such a rapid pace, he is like a sponge when it comes to picking up any and all languages.
- A child that learns two languages in equal proportion may develop at a different pace than children around him, but he will emerge with extra life skills.
Developmental Delays
Some children experience delays in development of speech. Speech delays may be caused by oral impairments such as limited tongue movement, but they may also be caused by hearing problems. Speech delays can also be caused by oral-motor problems (slowed communication in speech production areas of the brain) that also have the potential to cause feeding problems. Language delays can point to underlying conditions such as intellectual disability and autism. It is important to recognize signs of developmental delays, potentially before a child is old enough to start talking, so that early intervention can help him reach his greatest potential.
- Some children experience delays in development of speech.
- Speech delays can also be caused by oral-motor problems (slowed communication in speech production areas of the brain) that also have the potential to cause feeding problems.
Related Articles
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Speech and language delay and disorder
- Zengin-Akkuş P, Çelen-Yoldaş T, Kurtipek G, Özmert EN. Speech delay in toddlers: Are they only `late talkers`?. Turk J Pediatr. 2018;60(2):165‐172. doi:10.24953/turkjped.2018.02.008
- Ellis Weismer S, Lord C, Esler A. Early language patterns of toddlers on the autism spectrum compared to toddlers with developmental delay. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010;40(10):1259‐1273. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-0983-1
- Mody M, Belliveau JW. Speech and Language Impairments in Autism: Insights from Behavior and Neuroimaging. N Am J Med Sci (Boston). 2013;5(3):157‐161. doi:10.7156/v5i3p157
- Tager-Flusberg H. Risk Factors Associated With Language in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clues to Underlying Mechanisms. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2016;59(1):143‐154. doi:10.1044/2015_JSLHR-L-15-0146
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. Autism Spectrum Disorder (NIH Publication 19-MH-8084). Updated December 2018. nimh.nih.gov
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication Problems in Children (NIH Pub. No. 97–4315). Updated April 2020. nidcd.nih.gov
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Speech and Language Developmental Milestones (NIH Publication No. 13-4781). Updated March 6, 2017. nidcd.nih.gov
Writer Bio
Christa Miller is a writing professional with expertise in massage therapy and health. Miller attended San Francisco State University to earn a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing with a minor in journalism and went on to earn an Arizona massage therapy license.