At this age, Preschoolers are putting together sentences that are mostly understandable. There may be a few words here and there that are more difficult for them to pronounce, but their vocabulary skills are expanding rapidly. So when the baby talk begins at this age, it can get a little frustrating because there is the assumption that they have already outgrown that stage in their lives.
One of the first things to understand is that it is really just a phase. It is a regression of sorts and it can be brought on by a number of different things, including extra stress at home or at preschool. Sometimes, your preschooler may just want to talk in that manner for a period of time. While it can be frustrating to hear them regress in their language skills, it is actually a very normal reaction that will go away over time. If it doesn’t, then you really need to see a pediatrician about this issue.
The first step in dealing with the baby talk is to try and understand what the source of the problem is. Now, keep in mind that there isn’t always a problem. But many times, baby talk will coincide with the introduction of a new baby, moving, or a need for extra attention at home. If your Preschooler’s home life has undergone some changes, you can address some of these underlying issues.
Make sure that you are encouraging them to express their feelings in a non-stressful way. Take some time to talk to them. It is perfectly fine to ask them to speak without the baby talk, especially if you are having trouble understanding them. If they do persist, then you can set out some ground rules. But you should continue on trying to get them to talk about why they want to talk like a baby.
Sometimes, the baby talk is a result of being around other babies. If this is the case, then you can help balance this out by establishing play dates with friends their age. This will help them get out of the habit because their friends are articulating their words better than your Preschooler is.
They can also pick up this behavior at preschool. Just be patient. Like many fads, it will fade over time. Still, you should certainly have a discussion about friends and their influence on your Preschooler’s behavior.
Baby talk during the preschool years does happen. In most cases, it is just a phase that will pass quickly. While you do want to investigate the causes of any new stress in their life, a little patience will get you through this.