Parents often ask about their child's speech and language development, and it is something we often want to get to as fast as possible. We have spoken to Derval McDonagh, speech and language therapist with over eleven years of experience in her field, who has given us tips and suggestions of how to encourage your baby's language development.

It has been shown that babies are primed for communication long before they are even born. They are tuning into their parent's voices, and studies have shown how they respond once they are born to voices they are familiar with in the womb.

Communication is a lot more than speech. Long before a baby says his first words, he is learning important building blocks to saying their first words. The first sound you may hear from a baby's a cry and a parent will often tune into and understand the different cries for hunger or comfort. Babies soon learn that all important step of cause effect – when I cry I get a response. This is crucial for later communication development.

Other building blocks include developing listening skills for sounds in their environment, eye contact with their carer, smiling and sharing a routine. Before first words are spoken, a parent will often notice their child seems to understand some words, the parent may say: "oh, let's get your shoes" and the child looks down at their feet. This development of the understanding of speech and language is essential for a baby's development.

Language developmental milestones

Babies will generally start using their first word at approximately 12-18 months. They will start understanding words from 8-10 months, but will have relied on reading your body language and listen to your tone of voice to understand what you are trying to communicate.

Short two-word sentences will often not appear until a child is about two years old. By age three your baby will understand simple question and know the name for familiar objects. More difficult words, particularly words that don't refer to an object such as 'tomorrow' and 'behind', will come between ages three to five.

How to encourage your baby

Eye contact and being face to face – is so important! Your facial expressions will communicate more than the words you use. We naturally make faces at a baby and you can use this time to reinforce simple words, everything from ball, dodi to teddy. It's also a great chance for the parent to imitate the faces and sounds that their child is making. The more you copy your child, the more he feels listened and responded to, and eventually they may start to copy you back. This skill of imitation is very important.

Children love repetition – You don't need to set aside time to encourage speech, take time during any normal routine and repeat words related to it. Day to day activities such as bath time, meal times, are where children learn to make sense of their world and to understand the words that are being used as they are in a context they are familiar with. During any routine, you can talk to your baby about what you are doing and what he is doing, such as "oh let's have a bath, Mommy is turning on the WATER". Your baby is hearing the same words and language each time the routine is repeated.

Play together – even the simplest game, such as peek-a-boo, will encourage the development of the baby's language and understanding of words. Name the actions you or your baby is doing and verbalise what your child wants Often children will start communicating using gestures or pointing, you can "give them the words" by being their interpreter and saying "ah, Molly wants her BOTTLE" emphasising the name of the object he wants when she points. The most important thing is being tuned into your baby, and observing what interests him and responding when they make any attempt to communicate.

Read together – even before your baby is a year old. Start with the simplest picture books that show just one image or object. Books that have different textures re also great to keep your baby's attention and expand the experience. Wait and see what your child looks at, and then say the word in an animated tone. Introducing books at an early age encourages a life long love of reading and literacy; it's also a fun activity to share together no matter what stage your baby is at.