communication during the first year

Speech and language development the first year

Over my time as an SLP, I’ve had the privilege of working with many children on early childhood language development. The first year of an infant’s life is not only exciting due to the novelty of experiences but also marks a critical period in early childhood development. Both as a therapist and a parent I’ve found this period of a child’s life a fascinating time to both observe and help facilitate.

The first year of an infant’s life is a period of rapid growth and development, especially in the realm of speech and language. This critical time lays the foundation for effective communication skills that will serve the child throughout their life. From the initial cries and coos to the formation of their first words, each stage of development is a stepping stone towards the complex world of language.

The Earliest Communication: Cries

As a father of three, I quickly learned that an infant’s primary method of communication is through crying. This natural mechanism signals their basic needs and desires to caregivers. For parents, each cry is a call to action, a non-verbal message indicating that something requires attention. It generally demands immediate response, although sometimes either my wife or I would wait to see if it might stop and sometimes it did and sometimes… Whether in the middle of the night or during the day, deciphering the meaning behind these cries is a crucial part of parenting. Each cry carries its own urgency and specificity, drawing parents into a guessing game of needs and comforts. From an infant’s perspective, crying is the immediate response to various forms of discomfort or need, serving as their only way to communicate until they develop more advanced language skills.

At this early stage, there exists a, two-way dialogue between a parent and their infant. Through the simple act of crying and responding, both are deeply engaged in a form of communication that, while basic, forms the cornerstone of their developing bond. This foundational exchange not only meets the infant’s immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for more nuanced interactions in the future.

  • 1. Hunger: One of the most basic reasons a child might cry is because they are hungry. This is especially common in newborns and infants who signal their need for food through crying.
  • 2. Tiredness: Overtired children often cry as a result of exhaustion. Lack of rest can lead to tantrums and other emotional outbursts1.
  • 3. Discomfort: Children may cry if they are uncomfortable, for instance, if they have a wet or dirty diaper, or if they are too hot or cold.
  • 4. Pain: If a child is in pain, such as from an earache, stomachache, or teething, they may cry to express their discomfort.
  • 5. Overstimulation: Too much noise, activity, or visual stimulation can overwhelm a child, leading to tears as a result of sensory overload6.
  • 6. Illness: A change in the tone of a baby’s cry might indicate sickness. If the crying sounds unusual or is persistent, it could be a sign of illness.
  • 7. Need for Attention: Sometimes a child simply needs to be held or comforted. They may cry to seek the warmth, smell, and sound of their caregiver’s body.
  • 8. Emotional Release: Crying can be a way for children to release built-up tension or energy. It can be a healthy expression of emotions like sadness, anger, or frustration

Babbling: play with sounds

In the first year of life, infants embark on the critical journey of speech and language development, with the babbling stage marking a significant milestone. Between 4 to 6 months, they begin to produce consonant-vowel combinations such as “ba,” “da,” and “ga,” a phase known as marginal babbling. This stage is essential as it allows infants to experiment with sounds, learning the auditory and motor patterns necessary for later speech.Babbling is more than just an endearing behavior; it’s a fundamental exercise in vocal exploration. As babies babble, coo, or squeal, they are not just making noise but are actively engaging in sound play, which helps to establish neural pathways for more coordinated speech production in the future. The act of babbling provides the brain with sensory feedback, aiding infants in learning to intentionally replicate noises to convey meaning.This vocal play is the groundwork for conversational ability, where infants tinker with their vocal instrument, gaining control and familiarity through various sounds, including blowing raspberries and uttering gibberish. Parents and caregivers are instrumental during this phase, as their encouragement and interaction are crucial for promoting language development.Recognizing the “babble windows” when they spontaneously occur is key for caregivers to nurture a baby’s emerging communication skills. These windows of opportunity for speech readiness can be unpredictable, akin to receiving an unannounced phone call. Being attentive and responding promptly to these vocalizations is vital, as the moments for reciprocal vocal play can be fleeting. Engaging with infants during these times can significantly support their path toward effective communication.

Jargon

After the babbling stage in the first year of life, infants typically progress to more advanced forms of speech and language development. Following the period of babbling, which includes the production of consonant-vowel combinations like “ba,” “da,” and “ga,” infants begin to engage in what is known as variegated babbling. This is when babies combine different consonant-vowel (CV) combinations and it usually occurs between 6 and 9 months

As they approach the end of their first year, infants’ babbling starts to resemble the rhythm and tone of actual speech, often referred to as “jargon” or “nonsense speech”
 
This stage is characterized by strings of babbles that have the intonation of spoken language but do not yet form meaningful words.By the time babies are around one year old, they typically say their first word and may add one or two more words to their vocabulary
 
They also begin to understand common words and phrases, respond to their names, and use gestures to communicate, such as waving or pointing, which usually starts around 7 to 9 months
 
It’s important to note that while these are general milestones, individual children may reach them at different times. If there are concerns about a child’s speech or language development, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or a speech-language pathologist
 
Jargon in the context of infant speech development refers to the stage where babies’ babbling starts to resemble the rhythm and tone of actual speech, but without forming meaningful words. Here are four examples of a first-year child’s jargon:
  1. “Baba dada goo”: This is an example of a baby combining different consonant-vowel combinations, which is characteristic of the jargon stage.
  2. “Mama nana dee”: Here, the baby is using sounds that are common in their environment, such as “mama” and “nana,” but without necessarily associating them with their actual meanings.
  3. “Gaga boo yaya”: This example shows the baby experimenting with different sounds and intonations, mimicking the rhythm of speech.
  4. “Dada baba nini”: In this instance, the baby is repeating sounds and syllables, which is a common feature of the jargon stage.
Remember, these are just examples and the actual sounds a baby makes can vary greatly. The key characteristic of jargon is that it sounds like speech in terms of rhythm and intonation, but does not form meaningful words.

First Words

The process of acquiring these first words involves both receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) language skills. Before speaking their first words, babies have been listening to and absorbing the language around them, developing an understanding of words well before they can say them. This receptive language ability sets the stage for expressive language to emerge. Typically, babies say their first words between the ages of 10 to 14 months, with a range of variation among individuals. The development of first words is supported by a rich language environment, where caregivers engage in frequent talking, singing, and reading with the child. Parental involvement and responsiveness to the child’s communicative attempts play a crucial role in encouraging language development. For instance, when a baby says “ba” while reaching for a ball, a parent’s response by saying “Yes, that’s a ball!” reinforces the connection between the word and its meaning, promoting further language acquisition.

Moreover, the growth in vocabulary from the first word is exponential. After the initial breakthrough of the first few words, children rapidly expand their vocabulary, with studies showing an increase from fewer than ten words at twelve months to over forty words by sixteen months[9]. This growth underscores the incredible capacity for learning and adaptation in the human brain during the early stages of life.

In summary, the acquisition of first words in a child’s first year is a complex, multifaceted process influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors. It marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of language learning and use, with those first few words being a milestone celebrated by caregivers and a foundation for future communication skills.

 

Non-Verbal Language during the first year

Here is an outline describing non-verbal language during a child’s first year:

I. Early Non-Verbal Communication (0-3 months)
A. Cries to indicate needs (hunger, discomfort, etc.)
B. Begins to recognize caregiver’s voice and face
C. Makes eye contact and tracks objects with gaze
D. Begins cooing and babbling

II. Developing Intentional Communication (4-6 months)
A. Uses different cries to indicate different needs
B. Smiles intentionally, especially at caregivers
C. Responds to own name
D. Uses gestures like waving arms to attract attention
E. Begins passing objects from one hand to the other

III. Communicating with Gestures (7-9 months)
A. Points to objects of interest
B. Uses gestures like shaking head for “no”
C. Plays games like peek-a-boo and patty cake
D. Explores objects by banging or shaking them
E. Uses sounds or gestures to get attention

IV. Imitating and Understanding (10-12 months)
A. Starts imitating gestures and sounds
B. Responds to simple verbal requests (“come here”)
C. Uses gestures and sounds purposefully to communicate
D. Shows comprehension of common words and phrases
E. Responds differently to tone of voice and facial expressions

Conclusion

The journey of speech and language development in the first year is complex and multifaceted. Each stage builds upon the last, highlighting the importance of a supportive and enriching environment for the child’s growth. Early intervention can be crucial for children who show signs of speech and language delays, and parents play a key role in monitoring their child’s development and seeking help when necessary. With the right support, infants can develop the skills they need to communicate effectively and thrive in their social environments.