How Children’s Language Skills Develop

Most children’s language skills are developed between the ages of 0 and 3! Would you believe me if I told you that 90% of your brain was fully formed by age 5? It’s true! Those early years are critical to developing children’s skills and abilities; one of the most important being language. 

How the brain works

As humans, we go through “critical periods” in development which are essentially the window of time where development happens rapidly and easily. As we get older it actually gets harder to learn! This is why it’s so important to help develop children’s language skills as early as possible.

Children learn their vocabulary by listening to people around them. If babies are not spoken to there is no way for them to learn! Human interaction is the best way to help them as they are more engaging than videos or apps designed to teach children on their own. They can be an awesome supplemental tool, but they don’t do the work all on their own.

Why does it matter?

People need language because it is how we understand the world we live in. If you don’t know the words for something, how could you explain it? Children’s language skills help them learn how to communicate their basic needs and desires (this is why babies cry so much before they can speak!) If they are unable to get their basic needs met, it stunts their social and emotional development and they are likely to have trouble with secure attachments. These emotional difficulties make it hard to advocate for themselves later in life even after they have learned the words.

Image from: https://reachoutandread.org/why-we-matter/child-development/ 

Tips and Tricks

If you want to help your children’s language skills develop, try these!

1. Talk to them as babies; expose them to multiple languages if possible. Children who develop language skills in multiple languages have an advantage when they go to school! If you really want to start them early, download the Signshine app to help them learn to communicate with you rather than just hearing the words!
2. Engage them in conversations as they begin talking even if it’s nonsense. If they have questions about what things are or what they mean, answer them! It encourages their natural curiosity and desire to learn.
3. Read them stories! Stores teach children how to learn what things mean from context clues, how to form full sentences, and proper grammar so they can keep developing their vocabulary. Let them pick books about things they’re interested in so they’re guaranteed to pay attention!