Intelligibility and language development

Pediatrician Sonya Sethi Gohill, MD, explains what the speech and language milestones are for babies and toddlers and what parents can do to help improve their child's speech
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Intelligibility and language development

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I often have parents come into my office worried that they can understand everything that their child is saying but their child will spend the day with grandma. And grandma cannot understand them. They are worried about this and they are wondering is this normal. They wonder when can anyone understand their child´s language. There is a simple rule in pediatrics when it comes to speech. What I tell patients is that by the time your child is two, more than likely half of what your child says will be understood by anyone. By the time they are three, three quarters of what they say will be understood by anyone. And by the time they are four, all of what they say should be understood by anyone. Using the correct words when speaking to your child, using simple phrases, clear pronunciation will really help improve your child´s speech. If your child is not meeting these guidelines, it is important to speak to your child´s doctor because your child may need to start speech therapy.

Pediatrician Sonya Sethi Gohill, MD, explains what the speech and language milestones are for babies and toddlers and what parents can do to help improve their child's speech

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Sonya Sethi Gohill, MD

Pediatrician

Dr. Sonya Sethi Gohill is a board certified pediatrician. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, where she graduated with honors.  Dr. Gohill then went to UCLA for medical school and her pediatric residency. She works at her own private practice, Brentwood Pediatrics, in Los Angeles. Dr. Gohill is also a certified lactation educator. Dr. Gohill lives in Santa Monica with her husband and their three kids. Her sons, Dilan and Jaiden, are seven and four, and her daughter Tara is eight months old.

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Transcription: 
I often have parents come into my office worried that they can understand everything that their child is saying but their child will spend the day with grandma. And grandma cannot understand them. They are worried about this and they are wondering is this normal. They wonder when can anyone understand their child´s language. There is a simple rule in pediatrics when it comes to speech. What I tell patients is that by the time your child is two, more than likely half of what your child says will be understood by anyone. By the time they are three, three quarters of what they say will be understood by anyone. And by the time they are four, all of what they say should be understood by anyone. Using the correct words when speaking to your child, using simple phrases, clear pronunciation will really help improve your child´s speech. If your child is not meeting these guidelines, it is important to speak to your child´s doctor because your child may need to start speech therapy.