Speech and Language Development in Infants

The early years are very important for building your baby’s brain. Everything your baby sees, touches, tastes, smells or hears helps shape their brain for thinking, feeling, moving and learning. Here are several things you can do at home to support your baby’s speech and language development.

When babies hear more words, they understand and say more as toddlers. Talk to your baby in a way that is accurate and simple but still holds their attention. Research shows:

• How you talk and engage with your baby can influence how much your baby babbles. Babbling leads to your baby saying words.
• Toddlers in families who speak the most with them know more than twice the number of words compared to toddlers in families who do little talking.
• Toddlers learn more words hearing language in 1-on-1 situations than hearing language in group situations.

Using sign language with your baby does not slow their language development. Research shows:

• Before babies can use words, they can make gestures like wave “bye bye.” Children can use sign language as early as 8 months old.
• Children who are exposed to signing can have higher language and IQ (intelligence quotient) scores than kids who are not exposed to signing.
• Using sign language may also help toddlers have better social skills and fewer tantrums.

For more information, read our handout “Using Sign Language with your Child.”
seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1906.pdf

Media is a major force in children’s lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and children under 18 months limit media use. Research shows:

• When babies and toddlers watch TV and videos, it may contribute to delays in their speech and language development. Despite this, there are many videos available for babies and toddlers that falsely claim to increase language and intelligence.
• Children who were exposed to TV from infancy know fewer words than children who don’t watch TV. To promote brain and language development, spend time reading, talking and singing with your baby.

For more tips, read our handout “Screen Time and Digital Media Use.” 
seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-andfamilies/ce/CE053-screen-time.pdf

Young children have a strong ability to learn language. Most can easily learn more than 1 language. According to research, teaching your child more than 1 language does not delay their language development. In fact, it has many advantages:

• Critical thinking and mental flexibility
• Faster understanding of language concepts
• Improved creative problem-solving skills
• Better social thinking skills and ability to connect with others  

For more information, read out handout “Bilingual Language Development.” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE3346.pdf

See these resources about early intervention:

•  ASHA’s Developmental Milestones: Birth to 5 Years - American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  asha.org/public/speech/development/chart 
• I-Labs Outreach and Education - Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at University of Washington ilabs.uw.edu/outreach 
• Help Me Grow Washington
  helpmegrowwa.org
  Hotline: 1-800-322-2588
• Love Talk Play – Thrive Washington
  lovetalkplay.org  
• Communication - Talaris Institute
  parentingcounts.org/communication