Development Speech and Language

Question 1

What is speech?

Answer 1

The actual sounds of spoken language

Question 2

What is speech produced by?

Answer 2

Co-ordinated action of the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw, and vocal tract

Question 3

What is language?

Answer 3

The systems of words and symbols that we use to communicate with each other

Question 4

What does the term language encompass?

Answer 4

• Written
• Verbal
• Non-verbal (gestures and body language)

Question 5

What does speech and language development rely on?

Answer 5

• Intact hearing
• Good muscle control
• Exposure to language through interaction with other people

Question 6

What is normal speech and language development in a newborn?

Answer 6

• Cries

Question 7

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 6-8 weeks?

Answer 7

• Coos

Question 8

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 3 months?

Answer 8

Laughs and vocalises

Question 9

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 6 months?

Answer 9

• Understands words such as mama, dada, or bye-bye
• Babbles spontaneously, initially monosyllables
• Uses a tuneful, singsong voice

Question 10

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 9 months?

Answer 10

• Initiates adult sounds, such as coughs
• Understands simple commands
• Understands ‘no’

Question 11

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 12 months?

Answer 11

• Knows and responds to own name

- Uses 2-6 words and understands many more

Question 12

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 18 months?

Answer 12

• 6-40 recognisable words
• Can point to parts of the body when asked
• Tries to sing

Question 13

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 24 months (2 years)?

Answer 13

• Speaks over 200 words, understands many more
• Join words together
• Omits opening or closing consonants

Question 14

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 30 months?

Answer 14

• Continually asks questions

Question 15

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 36 months (3 years)?

Answer 15

• Can name 2-3 colours
• Knows and repeats songs and nursery rhymes
• Counts by rote up to 10
• Has simple conversations

Question 16

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 48 months (4 years)?

Answer 16

• Talks fluently
• Counts by rote up to 20
• Enjoys jokes

Question 17

What is normal speech and language development in a child of 60 months (5 years)?

Answer 17

• Fluent in speech and mostly grammatically correct

- Interested in reading and writing