When your toddler says, “ball” and points to it from across the room, you have just seen the result of an incredible process of deduction and reasoning. Coming from the womb, with no comprehension of any words at all, he has decoded baby-speak from parents and relatives, filtering out music, noise, and other sounds to pick out words. And he already knows what they mean.
Many of us assume that children only start to learn a language when they begin to speak. In fact, your child’s brain has already begun deciphering the meaning behind your words as soon as you began talking to him. He can already see and hear as well as any adult; it is only in the amount of time he has had to collect and store this information that it is different.
As you talk to your child, he forms associations between objects and the sounds you use to describe them. When you playfully hold up a ball and say, “look at the nice ball,” your toddler will make the association. His control over his speech may not yet be perfect, but you can be sure that when he says, “ba,” he is trying to mimic the sound you just made to refer to the ball! This is why it is no surprise that the first words babies learn to say in any language are often ‘dada’ or ‘mama’; they are the first things he comes in contact with, and he sees them everyday!
And don’t worry if your child seems to be delayed in starting to talk; many healthy children do not begin to talk until past two years of age. In fact, Albert Einstein is reported to have started talking only after his third birthday!
Help your child learn as many words as he can!
1. Talk to your child as early and as often as possible. Even if he can’t answer back yet, his brain is already working on figuring out what you are saying.
2. Nursery rhymes and songs are great for kids! The lilting voice and rhythmic sounds help him pick out and remember significant or ‘favourite’ sounds that his brain will sort into words and meanings.
3. Name objects he comes into contact with. Point to or hold up the item while saying the name clearly and slowly, giving him time to absorb each word.
4. Invest in good children’s picture books. Read them together with your child, pointing out pictures referred to in the story.
5. Don’t be afraid to introduce ‘big’ words to your child. More entertaining or fun words such as ‘hippopotamus’ or ‘bumblebee’ may attract his attention more than the similar-sounding ‘dog’ and ‘log’.
6. Children can learn multiple languages at the same time! Try to introduce them to different languages or dialects early. Parents of bi-lingual children report that a single, consistent source for the second language is preferable, such as a particular parent, the school, or even a nanny.
7. Be patient! Don’t force your child to speak. Be confident that he is learning at his own wonderful pace, and will speak when he is ready.
8. Provide plenty of encouragement! When your child gets a word association correctly, congratulate him warmly. This confirms his mental deduction and will make him enjoy learning even more!
For more articles on nutrition and child development, please visit http://www.excellencebeginsyoung.com.my
