Language Acquisition in Infants and Toddlers

Synonyms

Language development; Learning; Verbal achievement

Definition

How children approach the complex learning of language and speech development.

Introduction

Since birth, it is clear that eye contact is one of the main nonverbal forms of communication for a child and adult, but in these stages, the child begins to acquire the form of language. Language is part of what makes us human since humans are the only mammals to communicate with verbal languages of our own. Language can be best described as a symbolism of thought which allows us to vocalize what we are thinking and feeling. Children all learn at different rates, but much research has shown that the best acquisition comes from gradual interactions between other people and the environment.

Language Acquisition Milestones

Throughout the learning of language, parents/caregivers are their child’s best tool for learning, and the way the adult interacts with the child will determine the path of language development they take. From...