Don't Wait for Words - Start Building Communication Early

Does communication only start when a child starts talking?

Many parents believe so, however, communication actually begins much earlier.

It starts even before a child says their first word.

From eye contact and gestures, to sounds and facial expressions, children are constantly learning how to connect with others. Supporting communication skills early in life helps children to build stronger relationships, express their needs, and also able to participate successfully in daily activities.

When we understand how communication develops, we can support our child better from the very beginning.

As we know, communication is the ability to share information, needs, feelings, or ideas with another person. While speech is one form of communication, for children specifically, it is not the only way they communicate.

Young child communicate through eye contact, facial expressions, gestures (pointing / reaching), sounds and babbles, bringing objects to adults, or looking back and forth between objects and people.

These early behaviours are important stepping stones toward later language development.

When our children learn to communicate better, they are better able to express their needs and wants. This helps reduce frustration and challenging behaviours. When they communicate better, they are able to participate in social interactions, and build relationships with people around them.

Limited or delayed communication skill may come up in the form of big behaviours such as crying, grabbing, or withdrawing from interaction. Some parents worry if their child is not speaking yet. However, early communication includes many skills that come before words.

Early communication skills include:

• looking at mummy/daddy when their name is called

• smiling during interaction

• reaching or pointing to request for something

• taking turns during simple interactions like peek-a-boo

These behaviours show that a child is understanding that communication involves interaction between people. As I always ask parents, does the child 'reciprocate' when you initiate?

So how do we build this skill?

In our everyday routine, we can support communication skill.

1. When our child wanted his favorite milk, he might show signs of wanting it (move closer or reach his hand out). We can pause briefly, and encourage our child to gesture, look, or vocalise before giving the item. Vocalisation doesn't necessarily need to be words, speech sound or sound is good.

2. During play, simple turn-taking games will encourage interaction and also shared attention.

3. When we do daily routine (e.g., dressing, bathing, cleaning up), it creates opportunities for children to request for help, label items, or make choices.

These are meaningful opportunities for children to practice communication.

Instead of us (parents) focusing too much on whether our child is talking, the main goal for communication is the connection with others.

When we see a child who points, looks, gestures, or vocalises to share experience, that means the child is already learning the foundation of communication. Having this early skills will help build the path towards speech, language, and social interaction.

Building and encouraging interaction, responsiveness, and shared attention helps in developing communication. It starts early in life and it grows through the everyday interaction with caregivers and the environment they are in.

Small interactions (e.g., responding to gestures, encouraging turn-taking, and creating opportunities for interaction) plays an important role in supporting our child's communication journey.

Same goes when we recognise and support this early communication behaviours, we are helping our children to also build the skills they need to be able to express themselves, connect with others, and also participate in their daily life.

Remember, communication don't start only when a child is talking. It starts even before their first word.

With intention and care,

Mary Jane

Disclaimer:

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes. Children develop communication skills at different rates, and expectations should always be adjusted based on each child’s developmental level and individual needs. If caregivers have concerns about a child’s communication development, seeking guidance from qualified professionals may help provide appropriate support.