One of the most exciting things a young child does is learn to talk. Parents listen for each new word as she begins to learn this monumental learning stage. Learning begins early and goes on for a long time.

Did you know that your child may not have all the right sounds in the right places until around age 7? The J and Z sounds are not usually mastered until close to age 8.

When your child is first learning to talk, chances are you will not understand much of what she is trying to say. This is a good time to use baby signs with her. Using sign language of any kind does not slow down her speech development. It may help her communicate with you and avoid the frustration that frequently occurs when she is trying to tell you something.

If you decide to use some sign language, begin by 6 months of age. Consistently use seven main signs with your baby: “eat,” “milk,” “water,” “sleep,” “more,” “help” and “all done.”

Every time you say the word, use the sign at the same time.

Once these basic signs are mastered by her, you can add in the signs for the food she likes or toys she asks for. She will likely modify signs which is fine. She will make a sign of some kind because she needs something and you know how to fulfill that need.

‘Mature’ talk

As your child is learning to talk, it is important to talk like an adult. If you talk like a baby to her, she will not learn the proper mouth shapes and sounds of the words. If she says “wa-wa” smile, nod, and say, “water” while you show her the sign for water.

If you are speaking to a toddler, use one to three word sentences. Children learn to speak by listening to everything you are saying, by watching your body language and by seeing how you interact with others.

If you are speaking directly to a toddler, be brief. For example, if you see your children struggling with a toy, look into their eyes and ask, “Mommy help?” As you are speaking, also use the sign for help. Once they start repeating your sentences, you can add another word in.

Look into her eyes when you speak to her. She is learning to speak by lip-reading too. Remember to get down to floor level, smile, and nod while talking to her.

You will help her learn to talk by reading to her every day. Even if she only sits for a minute, open a book and look at as many pages as possible. Have books in a place that she can reach. Be a model by regularly reading something for yourself when she is around.

Do not have the TV on in the background when you are working with your child. The TV will compete with you for her attention thereby interfering with focus on what you are saying. Screen time does interfere with language development, concentration and creativity.

A major influence

You are a significant factor in your child learning to talk. The time you spend, the games you play, and how you spend your time together influences how your child will learn.

It keeps coming down to the same thing. Parents make a huge difference in how their child will learn, how their child will grow and how their child will succeed.

You remember the milestones of your child’s early years but chances are your child will not. Researchers now think that the ability to talk and describe events we experience is linked to our ability to form and recall memories.

When we are very young, we do not yet have words to describe what happens to us; this is why we cannot remember things before the age of 3 or 4. At this age, our children are working on laying the groundwork for how their brains will work when they are older.

So give them all the experience you can. They may not remember it, but it will help them become the learners they need to be for the larger challenges ahead.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com.