As a Speech and Language Pathologist, I am writing this series in hopes to address concerns when it comes to your child’s speech and what to expect if you feel like your child might not be reaching their milestones. If you are just joining us, be sure to start with Part 1 right here.
In the previous post, we covered those unforgettable first twelve months of speech and language development. Now, faster than you can imagine, that little bundle has been growing and learning for an entire year! While you are adjusting to having a ONE year old, your baby is exploring the world around them…running, climbing and playing with new toys and books. Just imagine all the wonderful langugae oppurtunities available to you and your child. Here is what to expect over the next year and activities to help your child achieve those goals.
First, let’s begin with those milestones for ages 12-24 months. If you recall, these skills are divided into receptive and expressive language skills.
What you can do to enhance your baby’s development at this age:
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Read age appropriate books. If you have toys that coordinate with books, get them and act out the story.
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Do not follow text. Use clear simple descriptions to describe pictures.
- Do not anticipate your child’s needs at every moment during the day. Teach them to USE their language to obtain wants and needs. Put toys in a closed box and teach your child to say “open” when they want to play.
Remember, my biggest advice is to look at your child as an individual and as a whole. Try not to compare to siblings, classmates and other relatives. But, if you do have concerns at this age, then talking to your pediatrician is the first step to determine if there is a developmental delay.
What have you found really encourages your one-year-old to use their language skills?
Stay tuned for 24-36 month milestones and developmental tools next week!
