What Discourages Early Language Development?

Most children begin to speak between the ages of 18 and 24 months, with simple sentences beginning between two and three years. Most factors responsible for a delay in early language development are out of a parent's hands: hearing loss, brain injury, sensory processing disorders and muscle disorders. Nonetheless, there are certain behaviors that may discourage language development and should therefore be avoided.

  1. Not Reading to Your Child

    • Not reading to your child from an early age can discourage language development. While children need to be exposed to language, they also need to become active participants in it. Children left to observe the language of adults are not invited to begin speaking themselves. Children's books offer language at the appropriate skill level, and reading with your child encourages him to ask questions, to associate written words with spoken language and to begin reading and speaking.

    Watching Television

    • Too much television can hinder a child's early language development. A 2004 study by Patricia Kuhl, Ph.D., a leading researcher in language acquisition, determined that even televised language lessons are not as effective as real-life linguistic interaction. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should not allow children under two years of age to watch any television, and should limit screen time to two hours a day for children older than two.

    Delaying Treatment

    • Sometimes, uncontrollable factors that affect early language development can be caught and dealt with early on. Failing to do this can delay language development. The most common of these is hearing impairment. If you have reason to suspect that your child's hearing is damaged, it is important to get it checked immediately. Similarly, if your child is not speaking in simple sentences after the age of two, you should consult a specialist to help identify any problems.

    Inhibiting Interaction With Other Children

    • One way children acquire language skills is by learning how to use it among their peers. Whether your child is six months or six years, playing with other children will help him develop his language skills. Instead of insisting that your child stay with you, it is important to set up play dates and to encourage her to interact with her peers as much as possible.

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