(207) 990-0162
With little ones running around, searching for language therapy services in Maine probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. But as children grow, parents may occasionally wonder whether their child’s communication skills are developing as expected.
Every child advances at their own pace, and no single timeline applies to everyone. Still, certain communication behaviors may indicate that a child could benefit from additional support. Based on observations from the team at Watch Me Shine Child Care Center, here are some early signs parents may want to keep in mind.
Age-Specific Early Signs
Young children can be difficult to read, especially when they are still developing the skills needed to express themselves. However, certain milestones may provide helpful points of reference.
12 months: You may notice little or no babbling, limited use of pointing or waving, or a lack of response when you call your child’s name.
18 months: Some indicative signs include relying primarily on gestures instead of sounds, having difficulty imitating words or sounds, or struggling to understand simple instructions.
2 years: Parents may notice a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words, difficulty combining two words into short phrases, or trouble repeating words and sounds or using language to communicate basic needs.
These milestones are guidelines; not diagnoses. If you have concerns about your child’s development, a qualified professional can determine whether further support may be appropriate.
Behavioral Signs to Watch For
Communication difficulties can sometimes show up via behavior, particularly when a child knows what they want to say but has trouble expressing it.
You might notice more frequent emotional outbursts when your child is trying to communicate a need or feeling. Their attempts to speak may also sound jumbled or unclear, making them difficult for family members to understand.
Other signs may include limited eye contact, not consistently responding to their name, or showing little interest in back-and-forth communication and interaction.
Watch Me Shine Offers Language Therapy in Maine
Located in Bangor, Maine, Watch Me Shine Child Care Center has a language-based classroom dedicated to supporting children with communication needs.
Our therapeutic learning opportunities focus on functional communication, receptive and expressive language skills, and meaningful social development. Through individualized plans and specialized staff, we use play-based learning, structured teaching, repetition, modeling, positive reinforcement, and other strategies to help children build confidence in communicating.
If any of these signs sound familiar, we encourage you to contact our team. Call us at 207-990-0162 or browse our website to learn more about our language therapy services in Maine. We’re also happy to provide a tour so you can see whether Watch Me Shine is the right environment for your little one.
