Doc, Why Is My Child Late to Speak?

Friend PRAMITA, one of the moments that is most awaited by parents is hearing the first chatter of the little one. However, not infrequently anxiety arises when the neighbor's child of the same age is already clever at speaking, while our beloved child is still more quiet. Comparing the growth and development of children is indeed often unavoidable. But before worrying excessively, it is important to understand that every child is a unique individual with their own development map.

Why Are Children's Speaking Abilities Different?
Speech delay or speech delay can be influenced by various factors. The ability to speak is like a plant, it needs to be cared for and watered so it can grow lushly. The main factor is stimulation or encouragement from the environment. A child who is rarely invited to communicate or spends more time with gadgets tends to have a limited vocabulary.
Besides that, there are also factors from within the child themself. Some of them are the possibility of a hearing impairment, so they have difficulty imitating sounds. There are also challenges with their speech organs (such as the tongue or lips) or other developmental conditions that require special attention from an expert.

When Should You Start to Be Alert?
Although the pace of development of each child varies, there are some "yellow lights" that can be a marker for parents to be more alert. Friend PRAMITA is advised to consult with a pediatrician if the little one shows the following signs:

• Not responding to sound or turning their head when their name is called at the age of 6-9 months.
• Not yet babbling or making sounds like "bababa" or "dadada" at the age of 12 months.
• Not yet saying a single meaningful word (such as "mama" or "milk") at the age of 18 months.
• Not yet able to combine two simple words at the age of 2 years.

Effective Tricks to Stimulate the Little One at Home
The role of parents is the main key to encourage a child's speaking ability. Don't wait, Friend PRAMITA can be the best "therapist" for the little one with the following fun ways:

Be Their Personal "Radio Announcer": Tell them everything that Friend PRAMITA is doing. For example, "Little one, now we wear the blue shirt, okay, to look handsome!" when putting on a shirt. This will enrich their vocabulary every day.

Reading Books and Singing: Picture storybooks and children's songs are extraordinary tools. Point to the picture, say its name, and invite the little one to sing along with expressive movements.

Limit Gadgets: Gadgets provide one-way communication. Children need responsive two-way interaction to learn to speak. Limit screen time and increase time playing together.

Remember, stimulation that is full of love and consistent is the most important foundation. If concerns continue, do not hesitate to see a child development expert.