It's natural for your baby to learn to talk, and he needs your help. Your interaction with him through talking, listening and playing, makes all the difference to the way he learns to talk. When you talk to your child, you give him a head start in life.

Language development

Most language development happens in the first three years of life. Until the age of ten, your brain has a 'critical period' for developing language, especially grammar. After this age, it is more of a struggle for your child to learn to talk. That's one of the reasons why children can pick up a new language easily if they move to a different country, while adults find it far more difficult.

Speech deprivation

We know what happens to children when no one talks to them. Sadly, we sometimes find children who've grown up without any …show more content…
Her father hated children and terrified her mother into ignoring her completely, apart from giving her some basic food. Rescued at the age of thirteen, Genie learned to talk a little, but she never managed the kind of language skill most children show by the time they're five years old.

Hearing

Your baby is born with good hearing and he likes to turn towards a familiar sound. He quickly learns to recognise your voice and relaxes when he hears you talking to him. New parents find they can soothe their baby by talking or singing quietly. Hearing problems are a key reason for delayed language development. Many babies undergo hearing checks soon after birth, so problems are usually picked up straight away. You should mention any worry you have over your child's hearing to a health professional as soon as possible.

First communication

Your baby depends on you to keep him alive, warm and comfortable. His first cries are the only way he can communicate with you, and he cries with a sound that it is impossible to ignore. Parents are right to use his cries as a signal that they need to look after