| According to Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff and | | | | rather easy to forget to do, especially if your child |
| Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N., the authors of What to | | | | hasn't started speaking yet. It may take some time |
| Expect the Toddler Years, the rate of language | | | | for you to not feel silly when you're doing this, but it |
| development can vary greatly from toddler to | | | | will definitely be worth it in the long run. Talk to your |
| toddler. Some speak as early as eight months, some | | | | toddler about everything-what you're doing, what he |
| as late as two years. | | | | or she is doing, where the two of you are going, |
| Studies have shown that earlier speech is not an | | | | etc.-using simple language and clear pronunciation. |
| indicator of higher intelligence. In fact, toddlers who | | | | Keep a running commentary going and your child is |
| begin talking later in life may have an easier time with | | | | sure to pick up on the words you use most often |
| larger words, phrases, and sentences, due to their | | | | and eventually, their meanings as well. |
| greater physical development, since much of speech | | | | 2. Reading to your child |
| progression is due to control of the muscles in the | | | | Regularly reading out loud to your toddler is |
| mouth and throat. | | | | extremely valuable to helping develop his or her |
| Later language development isn't necessarily a cause | | | | language skills. Even if your child doesn't sit down and |
| for alarm. Some toddlers simply display a greater | | | | listen, keep on reading. Using different voices for |
| interest in another aspect of their development-such | | | | each character and sound effects to illustrate actions |
| as their physical abilities-which doesn't leave them | | | | may help to maintain your toddler's interest. You |
| with much time or energy for other pursuits. | | | | might also want to try giving your child a toy to play |
| However, if your toddler doesn't seem to understand | | | | with or book of their own to flip through while you |
| or respond to your speech, you might want to talk | | | | read to them. Once they get used to being read to, |
| to his or her pediatrician about your concerns. The | | | | they may develop favorites. While it may not exactly |
| pediatrician will probably suggest getting your child's | | | | be exciting for you to read the same story again and |
| hearing tested. Once that has been ruled out, your | | | | again, the repetition will help your toddler to build their |
| toddler may be sent to meet with a speech | | | | vocabulary over time. |
| pathologist. If there's a problem, your child will begin | | | | 3. Singing to your child |
| speech therapy. The sooner a learning disability is | | | | Once again, you may have to work on your level of |
| identified, the better, since it can be dealt with | | | | embarrassment, but you really shouldn't worry too |
| effectively and have less of an impact on your | | | | much. Children usually respond with great interest to |
| toddler's self-esteem. | | | | music, and they're not too particular about whether |
| In the meantime, there are lots of things that you | | | | the person singing to them has perfect pitch or not. |
| can do as a parent to facilitate your child's language | | | | Nursery rhyme songs with accompanying hand |
| development. Some simple things that you can easily | | | | motions-such as "The Incy Wincy Spider" and |
| incorporate into your everyday life include: | | | | "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"-have the added plus of |
| 1. Talking to your child | | | | being interactive. These additional memory cues will |
| This may sound obvious, but it's something that's | | | | help to encourage your toddler's language skills. |