" How to support your offspring "

"Mommy!" - When these words come out of your child's mouth, you are sure to have tears of emotion and joy in your eyes. Another milestone in your child's development has been reached and now it's time to take big steps forward. Read more about language development!

First words and sentences

However, before you can have real conversations with your child, another 1.5 to 3 years will pass on average - depending on the child's development. And you can be sure: this time will be exciting!

It can take several years before children can speak properly in full sentences

A newborn is capable of learning all languages. From a linguistic point of view, babies are considered international until they are 6 months old, as they do not yet have a fixed mother tongue.

Language - the start of a long development process

Language development is incredibly complex and begins in the womb. As soon as the unborn child's hearing is developed, sounds are perceived. First and foremost the mother's voice. The rhythm of speech or the so-called speech melody is already familiar to a baby at birth.

Initially perceived as simple sounds, individual words are gradually learned

At first, your baby will only make babbling sounds. What most people find quite amusing is actually hard training. Because quite unconsciously, the young citizen of the earth is already trying to form syllables. Imitation is the magic word. A child tries to imitate the sounds and therefore also the language that surrounds it. Even if the meaning of the words is not yet understood, imitating is part of learning to speak.

From first syllables to first words

Around the fourth to sixth month of life, children are able to say their first syllables or even small, first words. The word mummy is naturally one of the first. This is mainly because it consists of just two identical syllables.

Share the joy of the first words and let your little one feel how good it is.

Better to avoid baby talk

In view of the fact that a child's language development is strongly influenced by its environment, it is advisable to avoid overly childish baby talk. Opinions differ on this point. But language development is certainly not promoted if the only words spoken in the presence of the diaper wearer are Dada and Dudu.

Baby talk is best avoided by adults

Why tell a baby it's a woof-woof when it's a dog? It's better to say:

"That's a dog. The dog makes woof woof." This makes it easier for a baby to learn to speak, because the meaning of the words gradually becomes clear. Of course, children say "woof woof" more quickly when they see a dog. However, they have already learned that it is actually a dog.

Parents play an important role as role models when babies are learning to talk. Therefore, speak as clearly as possible and in the usual manner. If your little angel speaks his first words and they are not yet pronounced correctly, correct this as follows:

"The date drank." - "Yes, the cat drank."

This way, your little one won't feel criticized, but rather affirmed and will strive to perfect it.

When the little ones are learning to talk, make sure that you maintain direct eye contact wherever possible. Your child will consciously look at your lips and learn to speak in this way.

Playfully support your child's speech development

When children learn to speak, they do not do so according to rules or regulations. It is a process that progresses continuously. Your child's language development can of course be encouraged through play. There are many fun games that are helpful for language development. Around the age of two, you can play the famous memory game. Simple motifs that the child can easily recognize and name are well suited here. Simple pictures such as a tree, a house, a car, a cat and a flower are perfectly adequate. However, this of course always depends on individual development.

Language development can be promoted with the help of games

If you realize that it is too easy, then have a little story told about each picture. This also supports learning to talk.

Singing together - children's songs help them learn to speak

Rhythm and language development are closely linked. Every language has its own rhythm. Music supports you when children are learning to speak. Sing simple children's songs together and clap to the beat. This is not only fun, but is also easy to memorize.

Even the youngest children can already make music diligently. A small rattle or the grasping toy can be shaken to a simple beat. Clap and sing as often as you can.

Radio plays, TV and the like are only of limited help - it's better to rely on your own imagination

Children's radio plays or TV programs for preschool children should remain the exception. Continuous exposure to sound will not advance the child's language development and will not really consolidate it. Instead, parents should rely on the power of imagination.

Look at everything through the eyes of the little ones. Throw all your technical knowledge overboard and embark on an imaginative journey. Nonsense stories are a great idea.

Make up a funny story together. It's all about the language and not about whether things really work that way. An elephant balancing on the roof or a dog driving a car. Nobody has to be serious and sit still.

Incidentally, this is also a wonderful way to pass the time in the waiting room or on long train journeys.

Read aloud, read aloud and read aloud again

Words become sentences and sentences become stories. Take the time to read aloud as often as possible. Snuggle up with your little angel in a soft blanket and read age-appropriate stories. Read clearly and enjoy this time. Even if your little darling wants to hear the same story every day. It doesn't matter in the end. The main thing is that you teach the mother tongue in this way.

Reading aloud is a good way to promote language development

Problems with language development

Not everything always runs smoothly. The pediatrician naturally has an eye on how language development is progressing. Problems such as lisping or even stuttering often occur. As a rule, these abnormalities disappear after a certain time. Learning language is a complex process and some little ones take a comparatively long time. However, this is no reason to worry. While some babies babble incessantly at just a few months old, there are others who do it quietly and secretly and then often surprise you with real syllables and little words.

If you are not sure, you are welcome to have this checked. However, bear in mind that others may already be speaking but are not yet able to walk or have some catching up to do at other stages of development.

The only important thing is that the hearing is completely healthy. If your child's speech development is delayed or even absent, this can sometimes indicate that there are problems with their hearing.