One of the most exciting parts of parenting is getting to see your child grow up and learn more about themselves and their unique personality! Language development plays a crucial role in this process, and children’s communication skills often progress quickly in their early years. Here’s what you can expect as your child learns, grows, and finds their voice!
First Year
Within your child’s first year, they will typically start communicating with small coos or single-syllable sounds. During this stage, singing or reading to your little one can help them develop their sounds more quickly, and by their first birthday they may even be able to say a few simple words!
1-2 Years Old
Real communication skills begin to shine through during your child’s toddler years, though they likely will still be working on their pronunciation. During this stage in your child’s language development, you may hear them begin to say shorter sentences, ask questions, and develop a more robust vocabulary (sometimes over a hundred words!). As a parent, encouraging your child’s language learning during these ages means asking them questions in return and continuing to read with them.
3-4 Years Old
As your child progresses past the toddler stage into the preschool stage, their speech and storytelling become much clearer. You may start to hear longer sentences, and your child will likely start to use their words to express feelings, emotions, or memories. While their speech is still developing, this is an exciting stage in their language progress where people outside of the family may start to understand your little one more clearly!
4-5 Years Old
By the time your child nears kindergarten, their speech skills are typically much more advanced, showcased by complex sentences and a basic understanding of grammar. At this point, you might see your child’s sense of humor show, as well as the advancement of their social skills communicating with peers, expressing needs, or asking for clarification. As a parent, this is a great time to play word games, have your child read out loud, and engage in more meaningful conversations!
Heaven’s Elect knows that speech development is a crucial milestone in every child’s life, and the childcare team is passionate about providing a language-rich environment for your little one to thrive and grow in! Using hands-on activities, daily storytime, and modeling healthy communication skills, the Heaven’s Elect team is here to help your child find their voice with confidence.