Speech and Language Development Overview Infancy – Early Childhood By Cheryl Matsch, CCC-SLP

Speech – The act of talking using breath, muscle coordination and movement to create sounds. Language – are the rules shared by individuals who are communicating. – Phonology = speech sounds. /kak/ – Morphology = Word Formation (cake vs. cakes) – Syntax = Sentence Formation (past vs. present) – Semantics = Word and Sentence meanings Hang up the bike. Vs. I will bike there. – Prosody = intonation and rhythm of speech Nice out’ fit/ Nice’ out fit/ Nice out fit’. – Pragmatics = effective use of language and Body language (What to do and Say).

The first 3 years: Most intensive period of development Expressive Speech/language First 3 days – Learns cry will bring food, comfort, and physical contact. 0-3 months – “cooing” 3-6 months – “Babbling” 6-9 months – “Jargon speech” (tone/rhythm no real words)

First 3 years continued: Expressive 9 months – 1 year = has a few simple words, may not understand meanings 1 – 1 ½ years (18 months) say 8-10 words with meanings. 18 months – 2 years = makes simple phrases “more milk” 2-3 years = speaks in 2-3 word phrases has 50+ words 2) from different parts of speech.

First 3 years: Receptive Speech/Language 0-5 months = recognizes sounds of parents, caregiver, and environment noises. Watches faces when talked to. 6 mo. – 1 year = understands “no-no” tries to communicate with gestures (pointing, reaching, etc.) 1 yr – 18 months = Follows simple directions with gestures, and answers simple questions. 18 months – 2 years: Follows simple directions w/o gestures, points to simple body parts, and understands simple verbs.

First 3 years continued: Receptive 2-3 years = understands uses of plurals, descriptive words, simple verbs, some pronouns, has 250+ words that they understand.

Factors to Assist Brain Development and Speech/Language Development During Pregnancy – Get Pre-natal Care!! – Eat healthy – Take vitamins – Get exercise – NO alcohol – NO tobacco (or Second hand smoke) – Talk to your Baby – Read to your Baby – Play music for your baby (classical and popular)

Factors in Development Continued: After Birth – Feed often (every 2-4 hours to start) – Plenty of sleep (Never wake a sleeping baby) – Talk, sing or read often to Your baby Use “Mother ease” speech – Listen to Music (classical and popular w/ words) – Monochromatic pictures (Black and White) – Begin Tummy time (around 3-4 weeks) gradually increase this amount of time so that the child become comfortable and can play laying on their tummy. Motor development is linked to reading skills, language skills, Problem solving, critical thinking, and overall better brain development.

Speech Sound Development - Mastery 3 years – /p/, /m/, /h/, /w/, /n/ 4 years - /b/, /k/, /g/, /d/ 5 years - /f/, /y/ 6 years - /L/ 7 years - /t/, /ng/, /ch/, /sh/, /j/, /th/ 8 years - /s/, /z/, /v/ 9 years - /r/ Blends such as /st/, /br/, /fl/, /sk/, /bl/, /tr/, /dr/, etc. between 7-9 years.

What to do if Childs Speech or language seems underdeveloped? If sounds are incorrect or if development is more than 1 year behind consult a Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP.) – ECLC (Early Childhood Learning Centers) in every school district service age 3 – pre-kindergarten. – Pediatrician referral for speech evaluation. – Private therapy centers SLP’s and hospital SLP’s. – The earlier intervention takes place the easier and faster it is to correct problems and close the gap between the child’s delay and their peers average abilities.