💬 Language & Words
"The number of words children hear in the first years of life significantly impacts their vocabulary and later academic success. But it's not just quantity — it's the back-and-forth conversation that matters most."
Language Development Milestones (Gentle Guide)
Remember: Every child develops at their own pace. These are general milestones, not checklists.
- 0-12 months: Babbles, responds to voice, understands simple words like "no"
- 12-24 months: Speaks 50-200 words, combines words (e.g., "more milk")
- 24-36 months: Uses 1000+ words, forms short sentences, asks "why"
- 3-5 years: Tells stories, uses complex sentences, understands prepositions
The Power of "Serve and Return" Conversations
When your child babbles, points, or talks ("serves"), responding back ("returns") creates a neural conversation dance. This interaction builds their brain's language network and helps them learn communication skills. Example: Child babbles "ba ba" → Parent responds "Ball! You want the ball? Here's the red ball."
Activities
Talking & Narrating
"Narrate Your Day"
What: Talk through everything you do together
Why: Exposes children to rich vocabulary in context
How: "Now we're washing apples. They're crunchy and red. Let's dry them with a towel."
Age: 0-5 years
Reading Together
"Interactive Reading"
What: Ask questions while reading
Why: Builds comprehension and engagement
How: "What do you think the cat will do next?" or "Can you point to the dog?"
Age: 0-5 years
"Reread Favorite Books"
What: Read the same books repeatedly
Why: Helps children learn new words through repetition
How: Pause at predictable parts to let child "fill in" the words
Age: 0-5 years
Singing & Rhymes
"Sing & Rhyme Time"
What: Sing nursery rhymes and made-up songs
Why: Rhymes help children hear word sounds (phonological awareness)
How: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "This is the way we brush our teeth"
Age: 0-5 years
Storytelling
"Make-Up Stories"
What: Create stories together
Why: Builds narrative skills and imagination
How: Start with "Once upon a time there was a..." and let child add to the story
Age: 2-5 years
Early Writing
"Scribble & Draw"
What: Let child draw and scribble with crayons or markers
Why: Builds fine motor skills and pre-writing muscles
How: "Tell me about your drawing! What does this line mean?"
Age: 1-5 years
Tips for Bilingual Families
Speaking multiple languages to your child is a gift. Research shows bilingual children have stronger cognitive skills. Tips:
- Stick to a consistent language rule (e.g., one parent, one language)
- Read books in both languages
- Don't worry if your child mixes languages—it's a normal stage
When to Be Concerned (Gentle Guidance)
Talk to your pediatrician if by:
- 18 months: Your child isn't babbling or responding to their name
- 2 years: Your child isn't using at least 50 words or combining words
- 3 years: Your child isn't using short sentences or is hard to understand
Early intervention can make a big difference!