Reasons why babies speak late Does it mean that babies who speak late are not smart?

As each baby grows up, the speed of their growth varies to some extent due to factors such as environment and genetics. In terms of language ability, some babies start to speak late. Does that mean that they are not smart? Mothers should not worry about this. Let me analyze it for you~

Why is the baby late in speaking?

The Spring Festival is coming soon, and my son is almost two years old, but he still can't speak. He seems to understand everything we ask him, but he just can't speak. This makes us very anxious. Why is this baby late in speaking?

Language development is an important sign of a baby's intellectual maturity. Most babies start babbling when they are one year old, and speak multiple words and sentences when they are two years old. There are many reasons why babies speak late, mainly the following three points:

Genetic factors

If parents started speaking late when they were young, their babies will also learn to speak later.

Environmental factors

The parents' education level and the degree of care they give to their baby also affect their baby's language development. Usually, adults rarely talk to their baby, so the baby rarely gets the opportunity to practice speaking, which affects the baby's language development. In addition, some parents are too doting and accommodating to their baby, always satisfying their baby's needs based on their baby's gestures and eyes, neglecting the baby's language training, which gradually leads to the habit of using gestures instead of speaking, thus delaying the baby's language development.

Disease impact

For example, poor brain development (mental retardation) can affect language development. Some babies start talking when they are over one year old, but gradually stop talking after they are 2-3 years old. This may be due to autism or other central nervous system diseases, which are pathological manifestations. In addition, long-term malnutrition, poor health, or poor hearing can also cause delayed language development.

If the baby still cannot speak at the age of 18 months, you should take the baby to the hospital for a check-up. First, check the hearing, because babies with hearing loss cannot learn to speak; also check the neuropsychiatric development of the child. If the above reasons are eliminated, parents should actively guide the child to speak and conduct language training under the guidance of experts.

The impact of late baby speech

1. General rules of children’s language development

When a child is not yet born, he can hear the sounds of the outside world and respond to them. After birth, he has a clearer awareness of language. He can make vague sounds at one month old, and then slowly develop and speak initial consonants. After half a year, he can speak lip sounds. After one year old, he can call his parents and sometimes speak some multilingual sentences to himself. After one and a half years old to two years old, he can speak hundreds of words and slowly express his needs through language, and his parents can understand him.

2. Each child is an independent individual

However, every child is a different individual, and they are all different, so their language abilities are also different. As long as the baby is healthy, it is not the most important thing whether he speaks early or late. In addition, the length of time cannot fully reflect the intelligence level of the child. Those who speak early or late may become doctors, teachers, and researchers. So parents should not be too anxious, as long as they are guided correctly and scientifically.

What to do if your baby is late in speaking

Parents should clarify the reasons why their children speak late. If it is a physiological reason, such as intellectual or hearing impairment, they should quickly take their children to the hospital for targeted treatment. If it is due to other reasons, parents should guide their children scientifically. The methods are as follows:

1. Create an excellent language environment

It takes time for children to learn to speak, not just one or two days. It is a continuous and accumulative process, so it is important for parents to create an excellent language environment. The more frequently parents and children communicate, the stronger the children's speaking ability will be. Children will also imitate their parents' speaking movements and expressions. Parents should do it themselves, but also take their time, not be too impatient, and be patient.

2. Stimulate children's desire to speak

When the child sends out a signal of need, you should not guess what the child wants and then do it immediately, otherwise the child will not have the opportunity to speak, and the desire will gradually decrease. You should induce the child to express it in words and encourage the child to speak.

3. Encourage your child to play with older children

Older children have stronger language skills. Encouraging your children to play with them can help them learn how to express themselves. It is more natural for children to learn from each other, and the effect is better. While playing, they also learn what they need to learn, killing two birds with one stone.

How should parents develop their children's language skills?

1. Pay attention to the accuracy of pronunciation and word choice

Try to use standard Mandarin to communicate with your child instead of baby talk or dialect. Speak slowly and clearly to your child.

2. Encourage children to express their wishes in words

When children want to express their wishes, parents should not speak for them immediately, but guide them to learn and use new words. When children need help from their parents, parents should not be too diligent in meeting their needs, but should also encourage them to express their wishes with words. Let children feel the power of language, thus providing them with positive experiences in using language.

3. Create a good parent-child communication atmosphere

In daily life, treat children as adults and communicate with them more often. When going out, you can also encourage children to tell you what they see. When talking to children, try not to use commands, requests, denials, etc., but use more requests, negotiations, affirmations, etc. to make children feel respected during communication.

4. The language environment should not be too complicated

In some families, grandparents, parents and nannies use different languages. Young children cannot understand these different languages ​​at all, so their expression will naturally lag behind. Of course, after silence, children are more likely to master more languages ​​when they burst into language. However, the direct consequence of a multilingual environment is that children speak late. Therefore, it is recommended that families who want their children to master multiple languages ​​should let their children master their mother tongue first, and then learn other languages.

5. Test your child’s language development system

If parents find that their children's language development is slow, they can conduct certain tests on their children at home. For example, in terms of hearing, check whether the child has hearing problems; in terms of pronunciation, check whether the child has problems with the tongue tie or vocal cords; in terms of language comprehension, check whether the child can understand the simple language of the parents and other people around; in terms of expressing wishes, check whether the child can express his wishes in non-verbal ways, such as whether he will pull his parents to do something, whether he will use body movements to express resistance, etc.