The origin of communication and language acquisition
To encourage the development of a child’s speech and future communication skills, it is essential for parents and educators to speak frequently and regularly to him or her.
During the first three years of life, children understand much more than they are able to say. This is because they are able to understand, but have not yet developed the ability to speak.
That is why it is so important for parents to start talking to the baby from the moment of the birth, even before. At first they will not understand what is said, but in a short time he will begin to understand although they can not yet articulate the sounds that form the words.
Six-months babies recognize the basic sounds of their mother tongue. Language development can be divided into two phases:
- The prelingual or preverbal stage takes place during the first year of the child. Babies emit onomatopoeic sounds and they use affective and gestural communication with their parents.
- The language stage begins when the baby says his first word. This usually happens after 15 or 18 months of life.
Once the child begins to talk, it is important to encourage him to tell stories and continually expose him to a great deal of different vocabulary in different contexts.
Let’s talk to them all the time; at home, in the park, on the way to school… any time is good. Let’s take advantage of the innate curiosity of the children to talk with them and show them the world in which they will live.
