Kids never stop amazing us, do they? Watching them make random moves or say the funniest things always leaves me wondering what’s going on in their little minds. Learning to talk is one of the big milestones in a child’s life—it’s how they start expressing themselves and connecting with the world.
I remember wishing my babies could just tell me what they wanted instead of crying and fussing all the time. (Spoiler: Once they grow up into argumentative teens, you might find yourself missing the quiet days!)
In my work with kids, I’ve met young ones who struggle with speech, while others seem to be way ahead saying their first words at just a year old or even writing short stories in preschool. Take Molly Wright, for example. At just 7 years old, she became the youngest person to give a TED Talk in 2021!
Why is there such a big difference in how quickly kids pick up language? Is it all about natural talent, or can the right environment make a difference? Let’s take a closer look.
Nature vs Nurture
Experts say language skills develop through a mix of nature and nurture (Bohannon & Bonvillian, 2013). In simple terms, kids need two things to learn language:
Their brain and body must be ready.
They need regular interaction with people around them.
There’s also a “sensitive period” for learning language, when the brain is most primed for picking up new skills (Sigelman et al., 2019). Did you know a child’s brain grows super quickly, reaching 75% of its adult size by age 2 and almost 90% by age 5?
This means the best time to support language development is during those early years—well before they even start kindergarten. While you can’t change your child’s genetics, you can create an environment that helps them learn. Here are some practical ways to do just that.
Tips for Boosting Language Skills
Talk to Your Baby
I know what you’re thinking: “But my baby can’t even talk back!” True, but studies show that babies pick up on speech sounds and common words even before they can speak (Sigelman et al., 2019).
When my son was about 8 to 10 months old, we’d sit by the window, and I’d talk about everything we saw—the uncle on his bike, workers painting the HDB block, or the bus driving past. I’d say, “Look, a bus! Bye-bye, bus!”
Soon enough, he’d stop whatever he was doing when he saw a bus, look at me, then back at the bus, sometimes making excited sounds. He wasn’t saying “bus” yet, but it was clear he understood the word.
Read, Sing, and Play
Sharing books, singing songs, and reciting rhymes are great ways to bond while helping your child learn. Vygotsky (1978) explained that kids learn best in social settings, especially with adults who guide them.
Multisensory activities—like reading touch-and-feel books, singing action songs, or dancing—activate different parts of the brain, making learning more effective. So, grab some board books, put on a fun playlist, and dance to “I Like to Move It” with your little one!
Encourage Their Efforts
When your toddler tries to talk, show interest. Make eye contact, listen, and praise them for using new words. You can also expand on what they say:
Toddler: “Giraffe!”
You: “Yes, it’s a giraffe! Look, it has a long neck.”
If they make mistakes, don’t rush to correct them. Instead, guide them gently:
Toddler: “Zebra!” (pointing at a giraffe)
You: “Hmm, could this be a zebra? Let’s look for black and white stripes.”
It’s all about keeping the conversation going and building their confidence.
What About Older Kids?
If your child is already in school, don’t worry—it’s never too late to help them improve. Language development doesn’t stop after the early years.
One of my clients, a 6-year-old with severe speech delay, spoke mostly single words and had a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words. After a few months of regular speech therapy and consistent family effort, he started speaking in longer phrases and even expressing emotions like sympathy and frustration.
It might take time, but with patience and persistence, you’ll see progress. Every moment is a chance to talk, play, sing, and bond with your child—so make the most of it!
Written by: Lindy Chia, Associate Psychologist, Fei Yue Community Services
References
Bohannon, J. N., & Bonvillian, J. D. (2013). Theoretical approaches to language acquisition. In J. Berko Gleason & N. B. Ratner (Eds.), The development of language (7th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Sigelman, C. K., De George, L., Cunial, K., & Rider, E. A. (2019). Life span human development: Australian and New Zealand edition (3rd ed.). Victoria, Australia: Cengage Learning.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher mental processes (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. (Original work published 1930, 1933, 1935).
