Search Results for: blog speech two to three years

Mother Writes Lovely Blog About her Preemie

Every once in a while, it is nice to read a lovely blog that a mother has written about her child. There is a blog called Micro-Preemie to Miracle that mom Sarah Bollinger started about her son, Everett, who was born at 15 weeks premature. He’s come a long way! I always find stories about preemies to be very interesting. There is something fascinating about the story of a teeny, tiny, baby that struggles to grow and thrive. Often, their stories are uplifting and inspiring. It is nice to read something positive! Last December, I wrote about a preemie named … Continue reading →

Making the Most of the Preschool Years

I know that I often write about parenting and life with teenagers, but I do have some recollection of the preschool years as well. And what I don’t remember, I also have friends who still have wee ones to bring back all those glorious (and challenging) days with preschoolers under foot. Looking back and trying to get the whole thing in perspective, I think there are ways to make the most of those preschool years… I know when you are in the midst of the chaos and defiance and temper tantrums, it seems like it will never end. It is … Continue reading →

Speech: Three to Four Years

At age three your child should have a vocabulary of 300-500 words. He’ll be speaking in complete sentences of five to six words. You’ll find that he uses voice inflection and imitates adult speech. Children at this age are often chatterboxes. But don’t discourage their use of speech they are practicing and learning. You’ll often hear your pet phrases coming out of their mouths or comments that you don’t want repeated. So it is important to watch what you say as a parent. A stranger should be able to understand most of what your child says. But up to half … Continue reading →

Speech: Two to Three Years

Between your child’s second and third birthday you will see a speech explosion as your child’s vocabulary grows from about 50 words to 400 words. She’ll start using sentences with more words. Instead of saying “More milk,” she’ll say, “I want more milk.” The use of pronouns will become common. He will start using language to express and communicate his desires, thoughts, feelings, and ideas. At this age your toddler should understand two-step commands. If you say, “Get your jacket and wait by the door,” he should be able to follow your instructions. It doesn’t mean that he sometimes won’t … Continue reading →

Speech: One to Two Years

Between the ages of one and two your child’s comprehension of language grows by leaps and bounds. You no longer have to wonder if he understands you because he will show you by his actions that he does. When you announce it’s time to go, you’ll find him getting his shoes or waiting by the door. If you ask if she wants a snack she’ll respond yes or no. During this time your child should start being able to follow simple commands such as “Give me your cup,” and answer questions like “Where is your nose?” Although your child may … Continue reading →

Speech: Birth to 12 months

Babies begin by hearing other people make sounds. In the beginning the tone and pitch of the voice is most important. If your voice is calm and soothing your baby is comforted. It is important that you vary the pitch and tone of your voice so your child learns voice inflection. By about 4 months he is starting to listen to the actual sounds that you are making. At this age a child usually start to babble, trying to imitate the sounds she hears you make. When your child makes a sound listen to him and talk to him throughout … Continue reading →

Speech and Language Delays

Speech and language are separate things although they usually develop in conjunction with each other. Speech is a child’s ability to say words and express himself verbally. Language is the process of expressing and receiving language in a meaningful way both verbal and non-verbal. Usually a child can understand more than they can speak but by age three speech and language typically catch up to each other. Children who have a speech and language delay cannot express themselves and also have a lower comprehension of other’s speech. This delay is easier for parents to see because not only can their … Continue reading →

Child Speech and Language Development

Many parents wonder is my child’s speech developing normally? Does my child understand everything she should? Review the following general guidelines for speech and language development and find out if your child is on track. 6 months Babbling and using a number of different sounds like ma, da, ba, etc. Responds to his name Responds to human voices by turning his head Responds to the tone of the voice whether friendly or angry 12 months Uses one or more words with meaning (the same word is used to mean the same thing each time), may be a word fragment such … Continue reading →

The 85th Academy Awards – Part 1

It seems only fitting that my last two Pop Culture blogs for Families will be about the Oscars.  If you’ve ever read any of my blogs around this time of year, you know how much I love this ceremony.  Yesterday, I turned E! on at 12:30 to begin my pre-Red Carpet coverage and finally turned the television off at 11:30 – 11 hours later. There were a lot of beautiful dresses.  Although Jessica Chastain didn’t win Best Actress, she was beautiful from head to toe.  Perhaps the Best Actress winner, Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook, should take a cue … Continue reading →

Queen Beatrix Announced Abdication

Royal families have been in the news the last few years.  Two years ago, Prince William married Kate Middleton.  Last year, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.  That’s celebrating sixty years on the throne for us Yanks.  And this year, there was the joyous news of a new royal baby. Now, there is a bit of royal news coming out of the Netherlands.  Queen Beatrix announced her retirement this week.  Unlike England’s Queen Elizabeth, who is still going strong at 86, Queen Beatrix is a youthful 75, but announced that she would abdicate her thrown on April 30th, Queen’s Day. … Continue reading →