14/02/2023
The development of verbal language has a few pre requisites
When you find that your child has a speech delay check if these skills are in place.
Joint attention: Joint attention is the ability to share a common focus on something with someone else (this includes people, objects, concepts, events, etc). It is a social form of communication that develops in infancy and progresses throughout early childhood. This social communication or behaviour allows two people to share focus on an object for the sole purpose of sharing with each other. Joint attention involves the ability to gain, maintain, and shift attention. It is considered to be a critical component for social development, language acquisition, and cognitive development.
Sitting behaviour: Sitting tolerance is simply the tolerance of a child to stay seated for a length of time. Some may sit for just 2 minutes while others have greater attention and can stay with an activity for 30 minutes.
Imitation skills: Imitation is a crucial aspect of skill development, because it allows us to learn new things quickly and efficiently by watching those around us. Most children learn everything from gross motor movements, to speech, to interactive play skills by watching parents, caregivers, siblings, and peers perform these behaviors.