Children communicate through words and phrases; it’s called expressive language. This is something a child relies on at an early age and throughout their development. Teachers often use expressive language to help determine if a child needs extra help. It can determine the child’s development and whether there may be a slight problem with their skills. 

So, what do you need to know about expressive language?

What Makes Up Express Language?

There are three crucial elements of expressive language those are morphology, semantics, and syntax. Morphology focuses on the correct grammatical items, such as words ending in ed. Semantics focuses on using the correct words, and syntax deals with sentences and using them to communicate. 

The Development Milestones Children Use Expressive Language

• 12–15-Month-Old Babies: Babies are in their infancy and must use basic sounds and expressions to communicate. Some will babble to capture the attention of a parent and express what they want. Usually, children will be able to muster their very first words. Of course, some children take longer to speak, but that isn’t something to be concerned with. Children may take longer to talk. 
• 18-24-Months-Old: Children begin to learn around 100 words. Most can construct a sentence or two and their communication skills are developing. 
• 24-30-Months-Old: Children typically can participate in conversations and use bigger sentences too. 
• 3-Years-Old: Children can usually create sentences of 4-words or more. This can spark creative ideas and strengthen communication skills too. 
• 4-5-Years-Old: Children express themselves clearer and can use tenses correctly. 4-5-year-olds can usually talk about their day and hold basic conversations with fellow children and adults. 
• 5-7-Years-Old: Children should be able to convey stories and communicate opinions and thoughts. 

Developing Expressive Language Skills

• Pre-Language Skills: These occur when the child can speak. Children communicate through facial expressions and gestures. Adults need to establish a bond, relationship, or connection with the child. It’s a necessity to encourage the child’s development. 
• Play Skills: Children need time to develop play skills. This is when children play with other children their age or by themselves. It can be a crucial way to self-motivate the child. 
• Good Concentration: Children must be able to focus on milestones and concentration is a crucial skill they need. Children must focus on achieving milestones and learning new skills. Parents and teachers need to help remove unnecessary distractions too. 
• Motivation and Pragmatic: Children need to be self-motivated, but parents also need to play their part in that. Adults need to push children to remain motivated, and pragmatics teaches a child to get involved in conversations. 

How to Develop Expression Language Skills?

There are many activities to try, those include:

• Puzzles and Games: These are simple tools that allow a child to maintain – and build – concentration. For instance, a jigsaw puzzle aims to form a picture. Games can help children focus and should be encouraged in many forms. 
• Imitation: Parents with toddlers and infants need to encourage the child to talk. For example, ‘Milk.’ Parents can repeat the words to encourage children to learn and imitate them. 
• Continued Communication: Adults need to communicate with children to build their skills. For example, parents need to talk to the child so they can learn from them and use the right words. It’s the same with teachers, even preschool ones. It gives the child more understanding of words. 
• Read Books to the Child: Children can learn so much through stories, so you need to read books to them. It helps a child’s development and may even encourage them to join in. 

Summary

A child’s development begins from birth, and they use expressive language to communicate with caregivers and parents. Children can pick up different words and phrases from the people around them, and it’s useful to develop their skills. Of course, teachers and parents need to help a child reach their developmental milestones.