Language is what people use to communicate with each other. When we use language, we can understand (receive) and give (express) information. Most children develop language in stages. You can help your child develop his language by knowing more about these stages, as follows:
Note that these milestones apply to any language your child is familiar with. For example, your child may speak his first words or phrases in Malay if he is mainly exposed to Malay language at home.
Reading to your child is a great way to encourage his speech and language development, whilst enhancing your bond with him. It is never too early to start exposing your child to books.
The National Library Board has a programme called “Babies Can Be Members Too!” Read more about it at www.nlb.gov.sg
The Qur’an has mentioned that the faculty of hearing was created before sight when the child is still in the mother’s womb.
“And Allah brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing, and gave you hearing, sight, and intellect so perhaps you would be thankful.”
Surah An-Nahl 16:78
You can take this opportunity to also instill Islamic virtues in your child and educate them about the stories of the Prophets while developing their speech potential. Stories such as the Isra’ and Mi’raj the miraculous night journey of the Prophet (PBUH) will spark your child’s curiosity and imagination.
When to be concerned
If your child is not saying any words by 18 months of age, or if he shows any of the behaviours listed below, do bring him to see your doctor or paediatrician.
- Does not seem to notice if you are in the room
- Does not seem to notice certain noises (e.g. seems to hear a car horn or a cat’s meow but not when you call his name)
- Appears to be in his own world
- Prefers to play alone; seems to “tune others out”
- Has intense interest in objects young children are not usually interested in (e.g. he would rather carry around a flashlight or ballpoint pen than a stuffed animal or favourite blanket)
- Can say the ABCs, numbers, or words to TV jingles but unable to use words to ask for things he wants
- Uses words or phrases that are unusual for the situation or keeps repeating scripts from TV
In addition, do inform your doctor at any point if your child has stopped speaking or is unable to do things that he used to do before (regression).
Reference: KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Office of the Mufti (MUIS)
Penguasaan Bahasa dan Pertuturan
Bertutur adalah salah satu cara kita berkomunikasi antara satu sama lain. Penguasaan bahasa kanak-kanak merangkumi kemahiran kefahaman serta kemahiran bertutur. Secara umum, perkataan pertama akan disebut dalam lingkungan umur 12 hingga 18 bulan. Sebelum mencapai umur 2 tahun, kanak-kanak sepatutnya mampu memahami arahan yang mudah, mengenal pasti beberapa anggota badan, menggunakan beberapa patah perkataan dengan betul, memanggil ibu bapa atau anggota keluarga lain dan menggunakan gerak isyarat seperti menuding jari. Membaca bersama digalakkan untuk memupuk perkembangan bahasa anak anda. Luangkanlah masa untuk membaca dan melawati perpustakaan bersama-sama.
Jikalau anak anda tidak dapat menyebut sebarang patah perkataan pada umur 18 bulan atau menunjukkan ciri-ciri seperti berkelakuan seolah-olah berada dalam dunia sendiri, kecenderungan bermain sendirian dan tidak kisah dengan keadaan sekeliling, kurang bertentang mata apabila berkomunikasi atau hilang kemahiran bercakap, sila maklumkan kepada doktor anda.
