| According to Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff and | | | | easy to forget to do, especially if your child hasn't |
| Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N., the authors of What to | | | | started speaking yet. It may take some time for you to |
| Expect the Toddler Years, the rate of language | | | | not feel silly when you're doing this, but it will definitely |
| development can vary greatly from toddler to toddler. | | | | be worth it in the long run. Talk to your toddler about |
| Some speak as early as eight months, some as late | | | | everything-what you're doing, what he or she is doing, |
| as two years. | | | | where the two of you are going, etc.-using simple |
| Studies have shown that earlier speech is not an | | | | language and clear pronunciation. Keep a running |
| indicator of higher intelligence. In fact, toddlers who | | | | commentary going and your child is sure to pick up on |
| begin talking later in life may have an easier time with | | | | the words you use most often and eventually, their |
| larger words, phrases, and sentences, due to their | | | | meanings as well. |
| greater physical development, since much of speech | | | | 2. Reading to your child |
| progression is due to control of the muscles in the | | | | Regularly reading out loud to your toddler is extremely |
| mouth and throat. | | | | valuable to helping develop his or her language skills. |
| Later language development isn't necessarily a cause | | | | Even if your child doesn't sit down and listen, keep on |
| for alarm. Some toddlers simply display a greater | | | | reading. Using different voices for each character and |
| interest in another aspect of their development-such | | | | sound effects to illustrate actions may help to maintain |
| as their physical abilities-which doesn't leave them with | | | | your toddler's interest. You might also want to try |
| much time or energy for other pursuits. | | | | giving your child a toy to play with or book of their own |
| However, if your toddler doesn't seem to understand | | | | to flip through while you read to them. Once they get |
| or respond to your speech, you might want to talk to | | | | used to being read to, they may develop favorites. |
| his or her pediatrician about your concerns. The | | | | While it may not exactly be exciting for you to read |
| pediatrician will probably suggest getting your child's | | | | the same story again and again, the repetition will help |
| hearing tested. Once that has been ruled out, your | | | | your toddler to build their vocabulary over time. |
| toddler may be sent to meet with a speech | | | | 3. Singing to your child |
| pathologist. If there's a problem, your child will begin | | | | Once again, you may have to work on your level of |
| speech therapy. The sooner a learning disability is | | | | embarrassment, but you really shouldn't worry too |
| identified, the better, since it can be dealt with | | | | much. Children usually respond with great interest to |
| effectively and have less of an impact on your | | | | music, and they're not too particular about whether the |
| toddler's self-esteem. | | | | person singing to them has perfect pitch or not. |
| In the meantime, there are lots of things that you can | | | | Nursery rhyme songs with accompanying hand |
| do as a parent to facilitate your child's language | | | | motions-such as "The Incy Wincy Spider" and "Twinkle, |
| development. Some simple things that you can easily | | | | Twinkle Little Star"-have the added plus of being |
| incorporate into your everyday life include: | | | | interactive. These additional memory cues will help to |
| 1. Talking to your child | | | | encourage your toddler's language skills. |
| This may sound obvious, but it's something that's rather | | | | |