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
Baby and Toddler Language Development Process
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Intelligibility and language development

Comment
117
Like
117
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.

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

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

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.

More Parenting Videos from Sonya Sethi Gohill, MD >
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
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.