Speech & Language

Communication is the way we connect and interact with people. It is part of our identity and culture. It helps us to learn, interact with others and to make friends. In this section you'll find information about typical communication development in young children and ideas for supporting them (in the 'tips' section of each page). You'll also find suggestions about what to do if you are worried about your child's communication development.

Father reading to his son

Copyright: oksun70 / 123RF Stock Photo

Communication: What's Involved?

Communication is much more than words. Communication is the way we connect and interact with people. It is part of our identity and culture. It helps us to learn, interact with others and make friends.

Hearing & Communication

Hearing is a critical part of a child's communication development so it's important to identify any loss as early as possible.

Communication Development: By 1 Year

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 1. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 1 year. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Communication Development: By 18 Months

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 18 months. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 18 months. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Communication Development: By 2 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 2. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 2 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Communication Development: By 3 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 3. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 3 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Communication Development: By 4 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 4. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 4 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Communication Development: By 5 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 5. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 5 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

Speech Sound Development

Show your child that you are interested in what they say, not how they say it. Help your child learn how to say tricky sounds by repeating them correctly as naturally as possible.

Communication & Early Literacy Skills

Communication skills are strongly linked to the development of reading and writing. The better a child's conversational skills now, the easier it will be for them to understand what they read later on.

Stuttering

Stuttering is when people seem to get stuck on, or repeat, sounds when talking. Show your child that you are interested in what they say, not how they say it.

Voice

If your child is having difficulty with their voice, try to reduce situations where your child is yelling or talking over the top of noise. Encourage periods of quiet activities to give the voice a rest.

Concerned About Your Child's Communication Or Speech Development?

Some questions and answers to help you decide whether your child needs a referral to the Ministry of Education for their communication, speech or language development.