ABSTRACT

This chapter deals with the understanding of spoken language or verbal comprehension, which emerges during the first year of life and continues to develop throughout infancy and into early childhood. There are many factors that might affect the development of a child’s understanding of spoken language, including: a sensory impairment, an underlying neuro developmental disorder, socio-economic status, psychosocial deprivation, and type of language input. True verbal comprehension begins when a child can relate a verbal concept to a meaningful object in any form it may occur and in any context. Language goals should aim to fulfil the child’s immediate needs in the environment. Children love playing with miniature figures like people, animals and toy furniture. A group of children can play hide and seek with a selection of objects and containers like a box, basket and bag.