Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department Lecturer Merve Yüksel provided information on the processes of language development in children.
Keep your baby away from screens between 0-3 years old
Experts, highlighting the importance of language development in babies, point out that babies should know an average of 5-20 words, especially between 12-18 months, and are expected to form simple two-word sentences. Experts warn, “If they use sign language instead of words, if they don't respond to your requests, if they don't make certain sounds, it is necessary to consult a specialist.” Experts emphasize that it is essential to talk to babies for language development between 0-12 months, and repeating words is important even if they don't respond. They also advise parents to keep children away from screens between 0-3 years old.
Babies can communicate with facial expressions and sounds
Lecturer Merve Yüksel noted that the most important way to ensure interpersonal communication is the use of verbal language, “However, even if babies cannot speak from the moment they are born, they communicate with facial expressions, cries, and sounds, and the primary purpose of this communication is to express needs. Children, on the other hand, begin to express themselves with words and simultaneously become aware of their autonomy. Words, concepts, and ultimately the emergence of spoken language develop in parallel with the child's cognitive development and are not independent of each other.”
Infancy and early childhood are important
Yüksel stated that thought must have begun to form for language to develop, saying, “Actually, it can be said that thought development is determined by language. Thought develops through language and is also conveyed through language, and this process ensures the child's adaptation to their environment, and ultimately to society. This, of course, occurs with the native language of the culture the child is in. Especially infancy and early childhood are important for language acquisition, and lagging in language development for any reason can affect social adaptation and the entire life.”
Every baby is born with language ability
Lecturer Merve Yüksel stated that every baby is born with language ability unless there is a significant physical problem, adding, “The first year of life is defined as the pre-linguistic period, and preschool years are the period when basic language skills are acquired. During the pre-linguistic period, a baby can hear sounds even if they don't speak. In fact, within a few days after birth, they can distinguish their mother's voice among other sounds. They express their wishes by making various sounds and crying. Generally, from the 6th month onwards, they start to utter various syllables like ‘ba-ba,’ ‘de-de.’ Towards the 12th month, the first words begin to emerge.”
What are the stages of language development?
Lecturer Merve Yüksel listed the stages of language development as follows:
1-2 Months: Reacts to human voices, especially the mother's voice. Expresses any need or problem by crying. Begins to distinguish different sounds.
First 4 Months: Can distinguish different sounds.
4-8 Months: Reacts to sounds. Responds to conversations with gurgles. Perceives different tones of voice and begins to imitate them.
First 9 Months: Cries, smiles, makes vowel sounds. Reaches out; performs giving, pointing, showing gestures.
9-12 Months: Starts to make adult-like vocalizations. At 12 months, a vocabulary of 5-10 words forms. However, it doubles in the following first 6 months.
1-2 Years: Forms one or two-word phrases. Creates negative sentences and question sentences.
2-3 Years: This is a period of rapid vocabulary increase. Forms 3-4 word sentences and has a vocabulary of approximately 250 words at 2 years old. At 3 years old, it can increase up to 1000 words.
3-5 Years: Can answer questions. Can change topics. Creates self-question-and-answer dialogues. Can talk to themselves. Can ask “Why” questions.
5-6 Years: Can speak the language fluently. Can form sentences using conjunctions like “Because,” “But,” “Only.” Can convey feelings and thoughts.
Language development can be affected by some factors
Yüksel noted that while these stages generally appear in order, their timing can vary, saying, “All babies begin learning by first acquiring sounds in the language, and as with people of all ages, the number of words they understand is greater than the number of words they use. Among a child's first words, nouns come first. These are followed by verbs, adjectives, and prepositions. While this order of linguistic features that children can learn and express generally remains unchanged, the speed of development can be influenced by physiological and genetic characteristics, cognitive development, social environment and interaction, the level of verbal communication between family and child, and socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics.”
These symptoms may indicate a problem
Merve Yüksel noted that children with hearing problems, vision problems, or issues like cleft lip/palate due to biological factors might experience speech problems and delays, adding, “Furthermore, conditions such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, and pervasive developmental disorder can also cause problems in language development. Within the normal developmental process, there are expectations regarding the number of words a child should use and the sentence structures they should form at each month and age. If these expectations are not met, if they appear not to hear or understand what is being said, or if they do not respond appropriately, all these findings should be evaluated together, and certain measures should be taken,” she warned.
Yüksel said, “Especially at 12-18 months, they should know an average of 5-20 words and are expected to form simple 2-word sentences. If they use sign language instead of words, if they don't respond to your requests, if they don't make certain sounds, it is necessary to consult a specialist.”
Definitely talk to your baby
Merve Yüksel noted that the child's social environment is one of the most important factors affecting language development, saying, “It is essential to talk to babies for language development between 0-12 months. Repeating words is important even if they don't respond. Some actions performed can be explained by talking, such as ‘I spilled the water,’ ‘I opened the door.’ Ensuring they look when you say their name, supporting the words and syllables they use with phrases like ‘You want to drink water,’ etc., and playing games like ‘peek-a-boo’ and ‘row, row, row your boat’ will positively affect language development.”
Screens should absolutely not be watched between 0-3 years old
Merve Yüksel emphasized that the best way to reduce stimulus deficiency in language development is to talk a lot and absolutely keep children away from devices like televisions and tablets, listing her recommendations as follows:
- It is recommended that no television/screen be watched between 0-3 years old. This is because watching television involves entering a passive system from which no response is expected, rather than an interactive communication system. Therefore, one-on-one interactions with caregivers and adults in their environment enrich a child's language development.
- Between 12-36 months, it is important to look at picture books together, use pronouns like ‘I did it,’ ‘You did it,’ and ensure they spend time among peers. There is a belief that girls may speak earlier and boys later. This prevents the detection of speech delays in boys and early intervention.
- Attending kindergarten from the age of 3 is also one of the most important factors enriching language development. The social relationships they form with peers and adults there support this. Another point to pay attention to is that parents and adults should try not to communicate with the child in a “baby talk” language.
Lecturer Merve Yüksel stated that it is important for parents to know the characteristics of language development stages and the factors that can delay children's speech, and to pay attention to these, adding, “This way, problems can be noticed and intervened when they arise. In cases of more advanced speech delays, it is necessary to first consult a child psychiatrist. Depending on the need, they can be referred to speech-language therapists, psychologists, or special education specialists.”