What’s typical language acquisition?

Although every child is different, these are some guidelines...

Babies start acquiring language since they are in the womb. But by the time they are 6 months old, they are vocalizing more and they respond when they hear their names!! (how cute is that!).

By their 1st year, they start saying some words or approximation of words. Although these words are not produced perfectly, they use these words with intention and consistently. Around this time they are also able to follow some simple directions such as give me the ball, come here, etc.

Around their 2nd year, their vocabulary explodes! They know about 250 words! (Be careful with what you say, they learn words quickly!). They use 1-2 word sentences.

Between ages 4 and 5, they expand their vocabulary and they learn best through pretend play. They answer basic questions, they can re-tell a story (not many details), and participate in conversation.

Keep in mind that each child is different and they learn differently. So, if your child is not doing some of these things, don’t panic yet! If you have questions contact your pediatrician, your local school or contact ASHA to find a speech pathologist in your area.

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Reprinted from : Language, Music and More Blog
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Bring the Learning Home

Puppet Play:
Put a puppet on a preschooler's hand, and she'll play with her voice. Even the shyest child opens up when a puppet does the talking. No need for an elaborate show, just have a puppet-y conversation about what's for lunch or who's coming to play.

Try Making Your Own:
Paper Bag Puppet: a plain brown lunch bag works for this kindergarten classic-just slip it on your hand and flip the bottom up and down to make the puppet "talk." Make a face on the flap with whatever art supplies you have on hand!

Too-Cute Tube:
Using markers or scraps of paper, make a face on the top four inches of a cardboard tube taken from a roll of paper towels or gift-wrap. Glue some tissue paper or fabric around the "neck" to make a cape or dress. Your child can wiggle his tube puppet back and forth to make it talk.

Your Preschooler and Our Voices

Preschoolers not only get most of the words to favorite songs right, they like to make up their own.  Have you ever caught your child singing her own tune when she's playing alone? The song may have nothing to do with her play--she'll be singing about little birds while putting together a train puzzle--but it's her own accompaniment to her game. Preschoolers also like to narrate their play. Sometimes they narrate out loud, and then suddenly the soundtrack goes silent as the narration becomes internal, on to emerge out loud again a few minutes later. Your child may just be the star of her own little opera! And even if she's pretty much unaware of such subtleties as staying on key, she takes great pleasure in singing to her heart's content-and she loves it when you join in. Enjoy it while you can-at this tender age your child still prefers your voice to anything on the radio, so don't be embarrassed to sing along!

Freeze Dance!

We've all seen energy build up in toddlers, preschoolers, or big kids. But you can usually redirect this energy with a fun little game. At the same time, you'll be helping to develop your child's physical control and something called "inhibitory control," or his or her ability to start and stop behaviors. Sometimes, all you need to do is turn on some music and play Freeze Dance!

 

All you need to do is:

• Get some lively music going.
• Dance around with your child or encourage him or her to dance -- let your child burn off some of that energy!
• Every so often, quickly pause the recording -- everyone (including you) should immediately freeze!
• To spice things up, after each freeze you can call out a new dance word like twirl, twist, leap, wiggle, or turn.
• Now start dancing like that until it's time to pause the music and freeze again.

Don't have any music handy? No problem! Sing a song or bang a funky rhythm on something you have lying around the house. Stop at random times, just like you were pausing the music.

Redirecting your child's energy into a fun game or activity can work like a charm. Try it next time you see your little one developing a case of ants in the pants