Language acquisition and development
In the development of a toddler, language acquisition and development is one of the critical signs of growth and development. As the toddler grows, the acquisition and development of language are affected by various interplaying factors. One of the factors affecting the acquisition and development of language in toddlers are social factors. The ability of a toddler to acquire a given language and develop in the language will depend on the actions of people who surround the toddler. For instance, a toddler can conclude from the facial expressions of adults. An excited face from an adult enables the toddler to draw the conclusions that he words he or she heard are exciting words, and hence the memory saves the conclusion. The perceptual skill of the toddler influences the acquisition and development of language. The auditory perceptual skills in between the sixth and twelfth month will set the pace for speech development by the 23rd month. Conceptualizing allows the toddlers to relate different terms with their relevant actions. The words that refer to ideas of time, size, or location have a high impact on speech development in toddlers. The linguistics aspects also influence speech development in toddlers. For instance, the toddlers are likely to conclude that a new vocabulary they hear refers to objects that they did not know their names previously. Lastly, the cognitive processes also affect speech development in toddlers. Toddlers who receive high proportions of language pitches are likely to develop their speech faster than toddlers who are used to usual tones of the language.
Parents are greatly encouraged to use “baby-talk” language to communicate with their babies. Such is because the brain of the toddlers is not that developed to comprehend the language used by adults. According to research, babies need to hear a word at least five hundred times before they pronounce it; but this can be made shorter by using “baby-talk” since the unusual sounds attract the babies.
Although “baby-talk” is a way to enhance the development of speech in toddlers, psychologists argue that it slows down learning among the toddlers. Research conducted on the issue of “Baby-talk” showed that children who were used to complex language and a fast speech development than those who were used to “baby-talk” language. Parents should take the initiative to correct their kids since it will enable them to develop their speech faster.