Babies develop language at different rates. Even so, before their first birthday most babies will:

• Enjoy watching your face
• Show delight when you reply to their chatter
• Love you imitating them
• Notice familiar sounds and voices
• Enjoy books and music
• Play with sounds
• Understand their name, basic commands such as "no", and the names of familiar objects
• Understand daily routines, such as bath and bed times
• Try to join in with action songs
• Attempt some real words
• Sound as though they are speaking your language

Most babies will say their first words between 12 and 18 months. They will have a burst of language development before they turn two, and begin to join words together by two and a
half years.

Most three year olds will use three to four word sentences and be understood by familiar adults most of the time. By four, children will use four to five word sentences, use grammar correctly most of the time, and be understood by most people. More on stages of language development

It's normal for your child to make mistakes as they work out the sounds and structures of language. When your child makes a mistake, say the correct word without any fuss. If your child makes the same mistakes over many weeks, however, it could be due to poor hearing and it is advisable to get a health check.

Hearing loss
Temporary hearing loss affects many children, especially in the winter, and is not always detected. Long periods of hearing loss can cause language delay, so it's essential to recognise when your child is not fully hearing. Look out for some of the following signs:

• Does your child fail to respond immediately to his or her name or a loud sound?
• Is their speech muffled or unclear?
• Does your child appear to be 'in a world of their own'?
• Does your child stare at other people's faces intently when they are being spoken to?
• Does your child at times seem to be unsure what is happening, or are they easily startled?
• Is your child prone to runny colds?

When to seek help for language difficulties
A Speech and Language Therapist has been professionally trained to advise, diagnose and work with adults and children who have communication difficulties. Speech therapists work in a variety of settings including schools, health centres, hospitals or private practice.

Your health visitor or doctor may be able to put you in contact with a speech therapist if you are worried about your child's language development, and particularly if:

• Your baby does not seem to listen to you, enjoy sounds or respond to them
• Your baby has difficulty sucking, chewing, swallowing or biting
• Your baby isn't using real words by 18 months
• Your toddler is frustrated by not being able to speak to others
• Your toddler has trouble understanding what you say
• Your toddler stutters
• Your toddler has an unusual voice, for example it sounds husky
• Your toddler isn't trying to make sentences by two and a half years

Where to find help
I CAN (the charity that helps children with speech and language difficulties)
4 Dyer's Building, Holborn, London, EC1N2QP
Tel. 0845 225 4071
www.ican.org.uk

I CAN has launched a new website as a 'first stop' for information on speech and language difficulties in children, in conjunction with The College of Speech and Language Therapists and AFASIC. See www.talkingpoint.org.uk

AFASIC (Association For All Speech Impaired Children)
2nd floor, 50-52 Great Sutton Street London, EC1V0DJ
Helpline: 0845 355 5577
www.afasic.org.uk

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
2-3 White Hart Yard, London, SE1 1NX
Tel. 020 7378 1200; www.rcslt.org.uk
The professional body for speech and language therapists, producing factsheets, help with all aspects of speech and language therapy, and details of NHS therapy services.

The Speech, Language and Hearing Centre at Christopher Place
Christopher Place, Chalton Street, London, NW11JF
Tel. 020 7383 3834; Email info@speech-lang.org.uk
www.speech-lang.org.uk
For babies and children under 5 with hearing impairment or delay in speech, language and communication. Offers a child-centred programme combining teaching with therapy using an interdisciplinary professional team.

The British Stammering Association
Helpline: 0845 603 2001
www.stammering.org
The association has a number of resources to help the stammering child, including Stammering - A Practical Guide for Teachers and Other Professionals.

The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children offers speech and language therapy to children from all over the UK.
Tel. 020 7530 4238.

Normal development of language

More information on speech and language difficulties