Question 1

How do children learn language and acquire words?

Accepted Answer

The iceberg analogy is a great way to understand speech development. Two-thirds of the iceberg is hidden below the surface, and the smallest part is above water. Words are the part of the iceberg that you can see, and what goes on before a child speaks (the “Pre-verbal skills”) are the part of the iceberg that is not visible.  Children are only able to use words when the other pre-verbal skills are firmly established.  nExamples of pre-verbal skills are:n- Looking & Listeningn- Initiation, Imitation & Understandingn- Smiling & Gesturesn- Development of attention skillsn- Turn-takingn- Social interactionn- VocalizationnnAs long as your child demonstrates some of these pre-verbal skills and progresses through them, words will come.  Just stay patient and find opportunities to engage with your child, encouraging them to continue trying to communicate with you.

Question 2

How do children learn language and acquire words?

Accepted Answer

The iceberg analogy is a great way to understand speech development. Two-thirds of the iceberg is hidden below the surface, and the smallest part is above water. Words are the part of the iceberg that you can see, and what goes on before a child speaks (the “Pre-verbal skills”) are the part of the iceberg that is not visible.  Children are only able to use words when the other pre-verbal skills are firmly established.  nExamples of pre-verbal skills are:n- Looking & Listeningn- Initiation, Imitation & Understandingn- Smiling & Gesturesn- Development of attention skillsn- Turn-takingn- Social interactionn- VocalizationnnAs long as your child demonstrates some of these pre-verbal skills and progresses through them, words will come.  Just stay patient and find opportunities to engage with your child, encouraging them to continue trying to communicate with you.