Twins and language development

There are several factors, which can mean twins are slower to pick up speech skills:

• Twins tend to get less attention in shorter bursts than single babies.
• Parents often speak to one twin, while looking at the other, when eye contact from the speaker is needed with all children for language development
• Twins tend to spend more time with each other, and so they pick up each other’s immature speech rather than that of the adults and older children around them.
• Twins have less time to practice speech as they have to compete to get themselves heard.
• Sometimes one twin may answer for the other.

There is no reason to worry if your twins do seem to be slow to speak, as long as you ensure that they have plenty of time to talk and express themselves.

It's good to talk

Good opportunities to give twins one-on-one attention can be during nappy changes, or perhaps you could bath them separately at night to allow you some time alone to chat with each baby.

If one twin is playing, it is a good opportunity to read to the other, or if possible you could stagger bedtime stories so you can read to each twin individually. It is also a good idea to avoid excessive television viewing or time on the computer while your children are young as this can stunt language development.

For tips on how to encourage language skills see the Birth to five planner. If you are concerned about your child’s language skills talk to your GP or health visitor.