Communicating
With A Baby Does Not Have To Be Frustrating: |
During the ages of one and two years old, language development in your baby improves dramatically. However, many parents do not understand this development and can become frustrated in communicating with their baby. "Many parents find it difficult to understand their baby during this period because they are using a combination of gestures, words, and emotion to communicate their needs," says Dr. Jeb Teichman, pediatrician at Clark Memorial Hospital. "They are also learning to test their limits at the same time." Most babies say their first words toward the beginning of this period, though some babies can begin speaking earlier or right at two years old. "Some babies are busy learning how to walk and are not ready to learn talking," says Dr. Teichman. "As a result, they do not begin speech until almost two years old." Your baby will learn fragments of words at first along with gestures to indicate what they want. From this point, they will progress to using two- to four- word sentences. By the age of two, they should be able to follow simple directions and be aware of simple names and objects. Before your baby speaks, they are listening to everything you say. Rather than using "baby talk," begin teaching your baby the correct names for people, places, and things. "You should speak slowly and simply," continues Teichman. "When your baby does begin to speak, do not correct their pronunciation. Baby’s are going to mispronounce words. Instead, correct the pronunciation in your response. You want to be careful not to frustrate your baby." The use of gestures is okay at this period, but you should begin to use a running commentary, such as "Do you want some juice?" and wait for a response. This encourages your baby to respond and hold a conversation. Again, do not frustrate your baby or withhold food or drink waiting for a response. As a part of language development, your baby will also begin to test their boundaries. During this period it is not abnormal for your baby to tell you no or to ignore direction. "This is a normal response to a child’s development and does not indicate that your child is bad," says Teichman. "Screaming and yelling at your child is not effective when they are throwing tantrums or exerting selfishness. Instead, having a time out with your child will eventually curb this behavior and let them know who is really in control. Time outs usually consist of sitting a child in a corner or sending them to their room for a period of time to quiet them down." Every child is different and will develop at his/her own pace. If you believe your child’s development is slow, you should consult with your pediatrician. However, most children will learn the necessary skills they need in their own time. For more information on practical parenting or to attend one of the Practical Parenting Classes at Clark Memorial Hospital, please call 283-2405 |
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