Important note : If you think your child does have a speech or language need, firstly props to you for considering their learning already, and secondly know that it is not your fault.  There are so many reasons why this might be the case.  

 

Here are some potential obstacles to language development ...

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• Discomfort in the mouth (even teething pain can have a temporary effect).  This can reduce a child's motivation to explore their mouth and voice because they, of course, want to avoid pain. 

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• Less exposure to accessible language that matches the child's stage of development.

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• Less opportunities to participate in real-life interactions with another person.

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• An over-stimulating or under-stimulating environment.

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• Limited or no hearing in a language environment where communication relies on sound.​​

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In case you were wondering...

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Living with more than one language at home is not a hindrance to language development.  It is extremely beneficial to brain health across a person’s lifespan to be bilingual.  

If I could, I would shout this from the rooftops!   

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Also; learning sign language is another boost for language development, not a hindrance!