Can language delays in infants and toddlers result from a lack of nurturing interactions?

Language delays in infants and toddlers can indeed result from a lack of nurturing interactions. Early childhood is a critical period for language development, and regular, responsive interactions between caregivers and children significantly contribute to the development of communication skills. Nurturing interactions include talking, reading, singing, and actively engaging with the child, which provide them with language exposure and models of communication. When these experiences are insufficient, it can hinder a child's ability to develop language skills, potentially leading to delays.

Engagement in a supportive and stimulating environment helps children learn vocabulary, understand language structure, and develop the social skills needed for communication. Thus, the absence of such nurturing interactions can detrimentally impact language acquisition and overall cognitive development in young children.