What is a word? Do sounds count?
How many words does your toddler say? If you’re in the early intervention circuit, as either a parent or a clinician, you probably hear this question a lot.
First words are an important milestone for toddlers but what exactly is considered a word? What counts as a word?
If you have a copy of My Toddler’s First Words, this question may sound familiar. That’s because I explain this concept in this book. If you don’t know what counts as a word, it may be tricky to facilitate or track words your toddler’s language development.
Dr. Erika Hoff, professor and director of the Language Development Lab at Florida Atlantic University defines a word as, “a sound sequence that symbolizes meaning and can stand alone (Hoff, 2005, p. 422)”. The sound sequence should be an approximation of the “adult version” of the word, and the use of the word must be consistent. For example, a toddler will say “ball,” or an approximation of the word, such as “baw”, every time he or she sees his or her favorite red, bouncy ball.
To use words, a toddler must realize that words are symbols that represent concepts. Noises or sounds randomly uttered are not considered words because they lack meaning and purpose. However, if your child intentionally says “moo,” every time he sees a cow, then that sound can be considered a first word because he is purposefully and consistently associating the two related concepts with each other. Another example would be, if your child says, “dodo,” every time they see the family dog, then “dodo” can be considered a first word.
Additionally, and very importantly, it is expected that children make mistakes when they are first learning to talk! These mistakes are important in the language-learning process. Children may assign random sounds to people or objects, but with practice, time, and loving encouragement, they will begin to consistently assign certain sounds and words to the proper items. Once your little one starts using words, it is important to keep track of the words in their vocabulary (especially if you have concerns!)… so stay tuned for upcoming posts that discuss these next steps!
To learn more about language development and how to facilitate first words please see my new book, My Toddler’s First Words. It is available for purchase at Amazon or ask for it at your local public library! Amazon affiliate links have been included for your convenience.
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