ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Late talker

A late talker is a child who starts speaking later than most other children their age. They may take longer to say their first words or have trouble putting words together into sentences. This can be worrying for parents, but it's important to remember that children develop at different rates and most catch up with their peers eventually.

When babies are born, they communicate through crying and making other sounds that indicate their needs, such as being hungry or needing a diaper change. As they get older, they start to say their first words, such as "mama" or "dada". Most children start speaking around their first birthday, but some may start a little later.

Late talkers may still communicate in other ways, such as pointing or using gestures. They may also understand everything that is being said to them, even if they can't say the words themselves yet. Some late talkers may have difficulty with language development due to hearing problems or other issues, but it's important to have them evaluated by a doctor to rule out any potential underlying conditions.

Parents can help their late talker by reading to them, talking to them frequently, and encouraging them to communicate in their own way. It's important to be patient and understanding, as pressuring the child to speak may cause more stress and delay their progress even further.

In summary, a late talker is a child who starts speaking later than most other children their age, but with patience and support, they can catch up with their peers and develop into great communicators.
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