There was probably a point in which you were the only one that could decipher what your little one was trying to say –it might even have been not so long ago! With time and practice, your child’s pronunciation is getting better and better, making it easier for other people to understand them!
This milestone, like many others, is reached gradually –people won’t be able to understand what your little one is trying to say overnight. For most children, this happens around their third birthday, but there is a lot of variation when it comes to language development at this age, so you may notice it evolving before or after that. This milestone is not only exciting for you and the people who can now understand your child, it’s important because it plays a key role on a social and emotional level as well. Being able to communicate with the rest of the world will open doors for your little one, and a lot of learning will come with that!
If your child is having trouble getting their message out to the rest of the world, try working on their pronunciation. To help them, be a good role model yourself! Speak clearly and slowly. Sometimes, children are so excited that they talk really fast, making it hard for others to understand them. You can also help out by using the correct names for things, and not nicknames that only you and your child know. Another good idea is to teach them to use gestures as aids to get their message across. If they point to what they’re trying to get someone to look at, it’ll make it easier for everyone.
Remember that every child develops at their own pace –and it might take a while before your child can effectively communicate with the rest of the world. For now, be patient and engage with them. Let them know that what they have to say is important by listening and then asking questions about it. If your little one feels like they’re good at communicating, then they’ll be more motivated to try it with everyone else.
