Does Birth Order Impact Language Development in Younger Siblings?
I know how easy it is to compare your kids’ development, especially when it comes to language skills. You may find yourself wondering if your second or third-born child is talking later than their older sibling did. And sometimes, you can't help but feel guilty, thinking it's your fault for not giving them as much attention.
But here's the truth: birth order doesn't have a significant impact on language development in younger siblings.
Let's dive into the facts and discover what really matters.
Do younger siblings talk later?
Nope! There's no concrete evidence to support the idea that younger siblings talk later. In fact, younger siblings are not at a higher risk for language delays or disorders.
I understand the concern and the inclination to blame ourselves, but researchers have conducted extensive studies to explore the connection between birth order and language development. Here's what they found:
There’s no significant difference in language development
When researchers compared first-born and later-born children, they found something pretty cool. Turns out, there's no major difference in their language development. Yup, siblings are more alike than we might think!
Sure, we might expect some slight variations between siblings because, well, every child grows and learns in their own unique way. But when it comes to language milestones, older and younger siblings are equally likely to reach them on time. Standardized tests measuring vocabulary size showed no discernible difference in vocabulary size. Older and younger siblings tend to have a similar number of words at the same age.
Now, keep in mind that measuring language skills accurately over time can be a bit tricky. And looking back, it's even harder to remember every little detail. But hey, the research tells us that the differences between siblings in terms of language development aren't significant. So, take a deep breath and know that your kiddos are on their own amazing language journeys, hitting those milestones in their own time.
(Bornstein et al., 2004).
Language delays are not more common.
This one is simple - research indicates that language delays are not more prevalent in later-born children.
(Tomblin, 1990)
There may be slight milestone differences.
Although certain studies have found that first-born children tend to hit the 50-word milestone a bit earlier than their siblings, the good news is that later-born children quickly catch up and reach their milestones on time. So, even if there's an initial difference, it doesn't have a lasting impact on vocabulary development between the two siblings. In other words, they end up having a similar vocabulary in the long run.
(Berglund et al., 2005)
Younger siblings may learn pronouns faster.
Surprisingly, second-born children often display more advanced use of pronouns compared to their older siblings. One possible reason for this is that they get the chance to overhear more conversations happening around them. As they listen in on interactions between their siblings and parents, they are exposed to a wider range of pronoun usage in various contexts. This exposure seems to give them a little boost when it comes to pronoun proficiency.
(Oshima-Takane et al., 1996)
You may notice strengths in different areas.
One research study found that birth order may have an impact on the different strengths of language skills among siblings. It's fascinating how birth order can shape the strengths of language skills among siblings, according to a research study. It turns out that first-born children usually rock the vocabulary and grammar game, while their younger siblings shine in conversation skills. It's like each of them has their own superpower!
So, why the differences? Well, it all comes down to the different language experiences siblings have. First-borns often get lots of one-on-one time with their parents, which helps them develop a strong vocabulary and grammar foundation from the start. But for the younger ones, they're in the mix with their older siblings and parents right from the beginning. They're watching conversations unfold, soaking it all in, and feeling motivated to jump right in and be part of the family chatter. It's amazing how these unique family dynamics can influence how our kids develop their language skills.
(Hoff-Ginsberg, 1998)
Understanding the differences between older and younger siblings
Think of your two kids like little snowflakes—completely unique individuals with their own special journeys. Having multiple children definitely changes the dynamics of your household. You probably know this firsthand! When you had just one baby, there was a lot of one-on-one time, right? But as your family grew, younger siblings got exposed to conversations and interactions with both you and their older siblings. That exposure to a wider range of conversations might be why birth order seems to bring out different language strengths in each child.
Now, here's another interesting tidbit: older siblings often become these amazing translators or interpreters for their younger siblings. They have a knack for understanding what the little ones are trying to say, whether it's through gestures or their adorable attempts at words. It's almost like they have a secret sibling language! These older siblings can provide fantastic language input for the younger ones when they interpret their messages, because they generally use shorter and simpler sentences than adults. They're like little language coaches!
On the other hand, of course it's essential to remind older siblings to sometimes wait and let the younger ones express themselves. Giving them the chance to speak up for themselves is crucial for their own language development. So, encourage that healthy balance of sibling support and independence. It's all part of the beautiful journey of raising a multilingual family!
When there’s a difference between siblings, focus on milestones
Instead of constantly comparing your child's development to their siblings or other kids, let's shift our focus to milestones. They're like little roadmaps for your child's progress. And you know what's cool? These milestones are based on hundreds or even thousands of kids their age. So, they give you a realistic picture of what to expect at each stage.
Sometimes, we tend to reminisce about what their siblings were doing at the same age. But here's the thing: each child has their own unique pace and strengths. So, thinking back to an older sibling who seemed to be ahead of the game might give you an unrealistic idea of what to expect from your younger one.
That's where milestones come to the rescue! They can keep you from unnecessary worries and help you gauge if your child is right on track. If you notice any significant deviations or concerns, milestones act as a cue to seek the support or guidance you might need.
Remember, every child has their own amazing journey, and milestones are there to guide us along the way. So, let's celebrate the progress and embrace the individuality of each child's development!
One final note
To all the parents out there worrying about birth order's impact on language development for their younger children, rest assured that it doesn't cause speech delays. Each child follows their unique developmental path, and while differences may exist, they do not indicate inferiority.
You're doing a fantastic job as a parent, and your child will reach their own milestones in due time. Embrace their individual journey, celebrate their progress, and continue nurturing their language skills. If you still have concerns about late-talking, we've prepared a helpful reference guide to provide more information on milestones and offer guidance for supporting your child.
Written By: Stephanie Hatleli, MS CCC-SLP
Let’s recap quickly…
References
Bornstein, M., Leach, D., and Haynes, O.M. (2004). Vocabulary competence in first- and secondborn siblings of the same chronological age. Journal of Child Language, 31, 855–873.
Berglund, E., Eriksson, M., Westerlund, M. (2005). Communicative skills in relation to gender, birth order, childcare and socioeconomic status in 18-month-old children. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 46, 6, 485-491.
Hoff-Ginsberg, E. (1998). The relation of birth order and socioeconomic status to children's language experience and language development. Applied Psycholinguistics, 19, 603-629.
Oshima-Takane, Y., Goodz, E., Derevensky, J. (1996). Birth Order Effects on Early Language Development: Do Secondborn Children Learn from Overheard Speech? Child Development, 67(2), 621634.
Tomblin, J. B. (1990). The effect of birth order on the occurrence of developmental language impairment. The British Journal of Disorders of Communication. 25(1), 77-84.
© 2020-2023. Stephanie Keffer, MS CCC-SLP. All Rights Reserved.
The content offered on ToddlerTalk.com is for informational purposes only. Toddler Talk is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children or families. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, speech-language pathologist, or other health professional. By accessing the content on ToddlerTalk.com, you acknowledge and agree that you are accepting responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for providing you with information related to home speech and language practice, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content on ToddlerTalk.com.