Introduction

The first 3 years of life is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills.

Speech can be defined as making the sounds that become words, that is, the physical act of talking. This is related, but different to language which is our system of using words and gestures to communicate and our understanding of what others say.

These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. There appear to be critical periods for speech and language development in infants and young children when the developing brain is best able to absorb language. If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language, it becomes more difficult to learn. Whilst children vary in their development of speech and language, they follow a natural progression or timetable for mastering these skill.