How can we optimize language development?

Neurological and thought development is achieved in human beings through imitation, exploration, displacement, sound, vision; they are the food of the brain, which makes it strong and rich in connections. 

There is no need for expensive objects, it is much simpler. What is needed: play, dance, talk to them, tell them stories, take them to the square. 

Tips and materials for each moment of development:

From 0 to 12 months:
At this stage, we must focus on sound, visual, tactile, gustatory and vestibular stimulation. Mobiles, dim lights, brightly colored toys, teething rings are ideal from 0 to 9 months.

Vestibular information is also very important at this stage, with cradling and physical contact and emotional attachment. It is the stage where we naturally use baby talking, or playful intonation, and this is essential for later development.

Then we incorporate toys and musical instruments, drag games, interlocking, different textures such as contact with water, sand, for example. All the toys for children under 24 months are large since, in addition to being safe for handling, they accompany the child’s possibilities of movement, which is not yet precise.

Some essential toys and materials from 0 to 12 months:

• Mobiles with light and sound
• Soft and delicate fabrics
• Attachment toys
• Mirrors
• Musical instruments
• Objects to explore such as boxes, plastic bottles, spoons and plates,
• Big balls, games of socket and drag

From 12 to 24 months:
At this stage, it is imperative to take advantage of and facilitate communicative spaces and situations such as lunch, the bathroom, the nightly story.

We should not cover these moments with TV or tablet. The ideal is zero exposure to technological media and television in children under 24 months. After this age, 30 minutes and one hour at 24 and 36 months, respectively. The programs should be chosen, along with the child’s interests, for their educational content.

It is very important to have dinner, set the table, bathe him, cook, recounting what we do, talking with the child, inviting him to participate in these situations. These formats are the first that the child will imitate. From here he will take his first words and they will have communicative intention.

It is a stage where interacting with other children, outside the family, as far as possible of the same age, is very useful and favors the development of linguistic and social skills.

Some essential toys and materials from 12 to 24 months:

• Musical instruments.
• Toys with lights.
• Carts and hauling toys
• Boxes to transfer
• Ball courses
• Stuffed animals and attachment dolls
• inserts
• Big balls
• Large and easy to fit blocks

We must offer an attractive model to imitate and for this we are going to use a playful intonation or baby talk, fun and interactive communicative situations and toys and materials appropriate for the age.