Communication development starts in the womb... Yes, that's right!
In this blog I will discuss the importance of language stimulation and critical periods.
The first 1000 days refers to the period of a child's life from the day they are conceived to the day a they turn two years old. It is likely a term you have heard before as it is a critical time-frame for most areas of childhood development, but did you know that it is also an immensely important time for speech and language development?
Most of us know the importance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy to help your baby grow big and strong. Well, the same goes for communication development - it's what you put in that matters.
Here are some nifty tips for parents and caregivers on how to talk to your child...
Language stimulation during pregnancy
A foetus starts hearing sounds as early as 18 weeks. By 25 weeks they start responding to voices.
Talk to your baby in a calm and soothing voice
Sing to your baby
Avoid blasting loud music through headphones like they do in the movies (prolonged exposure can actually damage hearing). A little soft Mozart won't hurt anyone...
0-6months (after birth)
Congratulations! You finally got to meet your new baby. Did you know they likely already recognise your voice? First things first - Neonatal hearing screening is of the utmost importance. Your child will acquire speech and language by listening to the world around them, so you can see why it is important that they are able to fully experience it. Hearing loss can be tricky to pick up but being mindful of developmental milestones may help you detect a hearing loss before a critical period is missed.
0 to 3 months, your baby should:
React to loud noises
Calm down or smile when you speak to them
Coo (make those cute baby noises)
Have different types of crying to signal different needs
From 4 to 6 months, your baby should:
Respond to changes in your tone
React to toys that make noise
React to music
Make babbling and gurgling sounds
Laugh
Here's how you can stimulate your baby:
Read to your baby
Performing nursery rhymes
Language emersion: talk to your baby and tell the about the world around them
Multiple language input is beneficial in bilingual/multilingual homes
7 to 12months
Longer sequences of babbling emerge...
Continue reading and performing nursery rhymes
Use functional two word phrases frequently and emphasise key words ("more milk?)
React to all of your child's communication attempts (such as reaching or babbling)
Teach early body parts (E.g. during bath time: "wash hands"..." wash tummy")
Play! Face to face
Milestones linked below
12-24 months
First meaningful words will start to appear around 12 months and their vocabulary should keep expanding to between 50 and 150 words at 24months. By 24 months they should be starting to combine 2 words to create functional phrases.
Continue to add vocabulary by explaining their environment to them
Give choices ("do you want milk... or water?" *show objects*)
Try interactive picture books
Use clear 3-4 word repetitive phrases frequently ("put on your shoes" .. "put on your pants")
Point out colours and shapes
Count what you see
Use different gestures, like waving and pointing
Milestones linked below
Ensuring that a child has access to a rich language environment during this critical period is directly related to speech, language and even literacy performance in years to come. We refer to it as a critical period as it is the timeframe where speech and language is acquired rapidly and without active effort - think about how much more difficult it is to learn a second language later in life - it is also why early intervention is so important if a child is falling behind. Contact a Speech Therapist if you are concerned.
Simple, isn't it?
Disclaimer: I did not come up with the term 'first 1000 days'. It has been around for years. I simply explained it from my professional perspective as a Speech Therapist to highlight its importance with regards to speech and language development.
I hope this inspired you to spend some quality communication time with your kiddo (whether or not they have been born yet). Give me a shout if you have any questions or if you think you need some professional help.
Wishing you all the best,
Charlize