25 words your 2 year old should know!

  Most parents are concerned about their child's development at some point or another." Are they growing fast enough? Shouldn't they be crawling or walking by now? Why won't won't she start talking?" These have plagued every mother at some point. We want our children to have the best chance in life and grow to be successful adults and I fear we have all become a little too concerned with" is that normal?". 


  Our ability to use language is what separates us from the animals. This is why, despite our size, we have reached the top of the food chain. Researchers suggest that the average full grown adult knows approximately 60, 000 words, numbers, and acronyms. So how many words should your newly communicating child know? Here is list a the 25 words your two  year old should know and use. Now,  before we get all excited about whether or not your child knows every word on the list, these are subjective. Some families use different languages, words,and contexts. Some children enjoy using some words and not others. Additionally this is a general age between 2-3 years old. If your child turned two yesterday and isn't saying all these words don't be too concerned. You are the parent and will know best if your child is or is not developing new skills. 

1. all gone
2. baby
3. ball
4. banana
5. bath
6. bye bye
7. book
8. car
9. cat
10. cookie
11. daddy
12. dog
13. eye
14. hat
15. hello/hi
16. hot
17. juice
18. milk
19. mommy
20. more
21. no
22. nose
23. shoe
24. thank you
25. yes

This list was comprised by Bryn Mawr Child Study Institute as the building blocks to language development. They state that the average two year old has between 25-225 words and some phrases. I don't suggest running out to see a doctor if your child can't say every word on the list. But this could be a way of measuring you child's development to see if you should be monitoring their development further. 

  Researchers have suggested that those children who signed (Baby Sign Language) as a baby use more words, use full sentences earlier, and generally read faster and more often. This is because baby sign language introduces an infant to language and communication as early as six months. These infants are being taught that they can use other means of communication besides spoken words. Most people don't understand that effective communication consists of more than just words. Effective communication involves words, tones of voice and body language. Have you ever noticed that the best public speakers use their hands when talking? This give you something to watch while listening, thus engaging more than just the listeners ears. 

Sign Language in Children with Communication Disorders

 One in ten Canadians has a speech, language or hearing problem. A child should use 200 or more words by the time they are 2-3 years old and by the age of 4 ½ their vocabulary should consist of approximately 2000 words. These numbers appear to be large but we must consider the average person acquires 10 000 words in their lifetime. Most speech and language disorders are not diagnosed until the child is school aged. Common disorders in children are:

• Articulation Disorders (omitting, substituting, or distorting language sounds) examples include a child saying “Wabbit” instead of “Rabbit
• Voice Problems (Clarity, Volume, Pitch)
•  Stuttering (Hesitations, Syllable or word reputations and restarts)
• Language Difficulties

  Other disorders such as Downs Syndrome, Autism and Apraxia of speech can cause speech and language difficulties in children.

  Autism is a brain disorder which adversely affects behaviour, social skills and the ability to communicate. Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., from the Center for the Study of Autism, writes: "Many aberrant behaviors associated with autism and other developmental disabilities, such as aggression, tantrumming, self-injury, anxiety, and depression, are often attributed to an inability to communicate to others. Signed Speech may, at the very least, allow the person to communicate using signs and may stimulate verbal language skills. When teaching a person to use sign language, another possible benefit may be the facilitation of their attentiveness to social gestures of others as well as of themselves." Teaching Autistic children sign language can provide communication in cases where the child has not been to develop oral communication.

  Children affected with Downs Syndrome are slower to develop speech and language skills. Teaching Sign Language, along with verbal reinforcement, is shown to improve the communication skills of children with this disorder. Researchers are emphasizing to use to total communication (Simultaneous use of sign language and speech) to assist in the development language skills.

  The benefits of using sign language in babies in not limited to those with communication and developmental disorders. Sign language in pre-verbal babies boasts great advantages including reduced frustration, increase in self-esteem, increase in IQ by 10-12 points, increase speed of spatial reasoning, introduction of language, and promotion life-long literacy. Sign Language classes can help parents and caregivers establish routines and strategies that are proven to assist in language development in all children. For more information on the benefits of Baby Sign Language and Classes please visit www.learn2sign.ca

Shawneen Lenane


Learn 2 Sign

www.learn2sign.ca

info@learn2sign.ca

The Benefits of Sign Language in Pre-verbal Babies

  Before a child can properly vocalize their needs and wants they must master very complex actions in the muscles in their faces. These actions include the placement of tongue, formation of the lips, shaping of their nasal passage, controlling of the vocal chords, and breathing and regulation.  Every one of these actions develops independently and is not mastered until an infant is well into their year. This means that a child will go through their year or so not being able to communicate specific needs and wants. Often mothers are keen to the needs of their own child through a special bond, but can a mother be expected to know what an infant needs or wants 100 % of the time?

  Research has shown that the use of Baby Sign Language in pre-verbal infants boasts incredible benefits including putting these babies on the fast track to life-long literacy.

   

• Baby Sign Language gives your baby the ability to express specific needs and wants
• Promotes the development of language skills
• Reinforces language skills already developed
• Reduces frustration at not being able to express ones needs
• Increases speed of spatial reasoning development
• Develops understanding of language for communication of emotions
• May increase child’s IQ by up to 10 points
• Creates feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment
• Teaches a second language that is nationally recognized
• May increase creative thinking
• Increases early literacy skills
• Reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts
• Teaches babies how to initiate and contribute to a conversation

  Additionally Signing babies have been known to speak earlier than non-signing babies, develop a larger vocabulary, and become better readers. The benefits of teaching your baby sign language are outstanding to say the least. Providing a communication rich environment for your little one helps in the bonding process for all caregivers involved. This shows baby that you value them as a person and that they have important ideas, wants and needs.

Shawneen Lenane

Learn 2 Sign
info@learn2sign.ca
www.learn2sign.ca