Pre-language skills: Stepping stones to first words!
As speech-language pathologists, we spend a lot of time talking to parents about communication! Parents typically ask us about verbal communication, such as: how many words their child should be saying, how clear should their speech be, and what sounds they should be saying? While verbal communication IS a big part of communication, there are many non-verbal communication skills that are equally as important! These skills are called pre-linguistic skills (also referred to as pre-verbal or pre-language skills), and they need to be mastered before your child can start talking!
What are pre-language skills?
Pre-language skills are the intentional communication skills that set little ones up to use spoken language. When you think of all the ways your infant communicates with you without using words, you are likely picturing pre-language skills! These skills include gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, joint attention, imitation, vocalizations, and turn-taking. They develop during the first two years of life and are the primary way babies and toddlers communicate before transitioning to first words!
More about pre-linguistic skills:
Joint attention: This is when you and your baby share an interest in something! This usually emerges around 9-months of age and involves your child looking at something and then looking to you to share the moment with them! Sometimes your infant will point to get your attention or even make a sound!
Eye contact: When your child looks at you because they want your attention, they are using eye-contact as a communication tool! Think of all the times you knew your infant needed you because they were looking at you. That’s communication!
Gestures: Once your baby is old enough (typically around 9-months), gestures will become essential to their communication. You may notice pointing emerges! Babies learn that they can point to let you know when they want something or need you to look at something.
Imitation: This is when your baby copies you! They usually start with copying motor movements (moving arms or body like you), facial expressions, and then imitating your sounds! Imitation starts early, usually around 3 months of age! As your baby gets older, the imitation becomes more advanced. They will copy your coos, babbles, gestures, and eventually WORDS! The ability to imitate directly correlates with language development and is one of the primary pre-language skills we look for in babies.
Turn-taking: While you may be picturing playtime when you think of turn-taking, this skill also has a big part in verbal communication! Any time we communicate with another person, we are taking turns! For example, first, you look at something, then your baby looks. First your baby points, then you respond. First, you say a sound, and then your baby says a sound. All of these examples of turn-taking show how essential it is to communication! There is a back-and-forth in interactions that HAS to occur for people to communicate and it’s important that babies learn this!
Vocalizations: Before babies start saying words, they need to understand that the sounds they make can have meaning! They begin practicing this before using words by vocalizing! For example, your baby may grunt or make sounds to get your attention or to let you know they want something. That’s communication!
Other pre-language skills that are also important are attention, initiating interactions, responding to interactions, and facial expressions!
Why are pre-language skills important?
A 2016 study found that the development of prelinguistic skills in little ones directly predicted language abilities between 2 and 8 years of age. Slower growth of prelinguistic skills leads to weaker language skills during this age range. The study supports the idea of a “developmental continuum,” which means prelinguistic skills are the building blocks to developing language skills beyond the toddler years.
Any time we notice a child is not verbally communicating when they should, we first look to see if they are doing all the pre-requisite skills listed above. After all, they have to learn the building blocks to verbal communication BEFORE they can begin talking! Verbal communication is symbolic, meaning words represent something. It takes time for infants to understand the connection between a word/action/facial expression and meaning. Every interaction you have with your child helps them learn this connection and move closer to their first words!
How can you help your baby develop pre-language skills?
If you want to help your little one develop prelinguistic skills, here are some things you can do:
Spend time face-to-face with your baby! Let them see your face so they can attend to your eyes, mouth, and movements!
Copy sounds your baby makes and then WAIT to see if they respond again!
Respond to your baby! You want them to know that there is meaning behind what they do, and one way to help them learn this is by reacting to them! If your baby vocalizes, respond! When they point, respond! When they make facial expressions or look at you, respond!
Make sounds or gestures when you have your baby’s attention, and then WAIT to see if they copy! Be playful and exaggerate some of the sounds, so your baby really attends to you.
If your baby does not copy you, that’s ok! Do the gesture or sound for them and then try again.
Sing songs that use gestures and silly sounds!
Read books while practicing pointing, making gestures, and using sounds to go with the story!
Play fun games like peek-a-boo!
Practice pretend play using props and toys
What should you do if you notice your infant is not developing pre-language skills?
Typically when you visit your pediatrician, they will ask you many questions about development, many of which are pre-language skills! This is a good time to bring up any concerns you may have about development, including communication skills. Your pediatrician will be able to ask follow up questions and look at other factors that may be impacting development. Alternatively, you can always contact a speech-language pathologist for further guidance regarding the need for an evaluation or treatment.
Click here for information regarding Early Intervention programs in your state. Early Intervention provides services for children ages birth to three, when eligible, and are typically free. You can also reach out to a private speech-language pathologist, many of which provide services covered by insurance companies.
Sources:
“Sorting Out the 11 Prelinguistic Skills...” Teachmetotalk.com, 23 Oct. 2019, teachmetotalk.com/2018/07/30/sorting-out-the-11-prelinguistic-skills/.
Määttä, Sira, et al. “Continuity From Prelinguistic Communication to Later Language Ability: A Follow-Up Study From Infancy to Early School Age.” Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 59, no. 6, 1 Dec. 2016, pp. 1357–1372., doi:https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0209.
