This morning, while Maya and I were at the nursery picking up a few flowers for our garden, we were having a pretty in depth and detailed conversation about flowers, colors, gardens, and what we were going to plant where.  I hardly  noticed the other mom and her son until Maya turned around and said something along the lines of “that silly boy is hurting the flowers” as the little boy was pulling blooms off of a marigold plant.  I looked up and smiled at the mom as she was trying to reprimand and teach her son about being nice to the plants, trying to show my support and letting her know I’ve “been there, done that”.  Maya started telling the little boy all about the flowers, what color they were, showing him how to gently smell them, etc.  The mom sighed a very deep long sigh and asked me how old Maya was and where she learned to speak so well.  When I told her she was 2 and a half she told me in a very disappointed sounding voice that her son was almost 2 and a half as well but didn’t have near the vocabulary or concept of language.

I tried to reassure her as best I could.  It is hard when you start comparing your kid to other kids.  There is a reason we shouldn’t do it, it usually just makes you feel bad.  No two kids are alike, they development and learn and grow at their own pace.  Her son seemed like any typical two year old.  Although he didn’t have a huge vocabulary he seemed to be doing just fine.  He talked back and forth to Maya just fine.

The whole experience got me thinking about the things we have done with Maya to help her with her language development.  Things I’ve read about online and in parenting books about language development in toddlers and preschoolers.  There are lots of ways you can help your child with their language development, little things you can do in your daily life that will help their vocabulary and language skills grow.

• From the very beginning talk to your child often.  Even something as simple as narrating what you are doing is a great way to show your child how language is used, teach them different words, etc.
• As your child begins communicating back, even when just babbling back to you, engage them in conversation.  Respond back to their babbles as if they are real words.
• As your child begins using words be sure to hone your listening skills.  Sit down and listen carefully to the stories your child tells you.  Engage and respond to encourage your child to continue the conversation.
• Help your child grow their vocabulary by pointing out new things as you go about your day.  Practice how to say new words together.
• Sing songs.  Singing is a great way to encourage your child to use the language skills they already have and to build their vocabulary.
• Read.  Read.  Read.  The more you read the better.  Children learn so much from reading, including the proper use of language, new words, how words sound, etc.
• Encourage your child to read to you.  Even if they can’t actually read the words yet, get your child to make up a story as you go along flipping through a book.
• Correct your child’s grammar and mispronunciations.  Be consist and discreet.  A good way to do this is to simply repeat the phrase back to them using the proper pronunciation and grammar.

Basically the more your child hears language in use the more familiar they will be come and the faster their own language skills will develop.  Remember that children develop at different rates.  Just because your friend’s child who is the same age has a huge vocabulary doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your child.  If you are concerned about your child’s language development be sure to discuss your concerns with your child’s doctor.  If there are speech and language development issues the earlier your child begins speech therapy the higher the rate of success.

Talk to your child, read to your child, engage your child in conversation, encourage your child to tell you stories and before long you’ll forget what it was like before you kiddo could talk your ear off.