Everything You Need to Know About Language Development and Speech Delays in Children
While it's true that every child develops on their own timeline, delays in specific milestones such as talking leave many parents wondering, "Is my child on schedule?" Here are some answers to your developmental questions.
Paying Attention to Others
Social interaction is the foundation of language development, says Katrina Zeit, a speech pathologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "If your child doesn't pay attention to other people, respond to sounds, music, games, or moving toys, it could be a warning sign of a possible speech delay."
Babbling Baby
Between 4 and 6 months old, your baby will show an increase in babbling and some vocalization, says Suzanne Bonifert, head of Speech-Language Pathology Services at UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders. "The baby will start making some vowel sounds, and once they get closer to 6 months, they'll start putting together some consonant and vowel sounds."
Recognize Their Name
"Between 6 and 9 months, your baby should stop and turn toward you when you call their name," says Zeit. Your child should also respond to different sounds that you make, and they might even start trying to imitate them. "That's why it's so important for parents to talk to their child as much as possible," Zeit says. Research shows that children with talkative parents develop their language skills faster.