The early years of a child are very important when it comes to development. If your little one is having trouble learning a new skill or your sense something “isn’t quite right”, it is important to talk with a speech therapist or healthcare provider. Early detection and intervention is key to reaching their fullest potential.
Tips for Encouraging Speech and Language Development from Pathways
Use a high-pitched, sing-song voice. This helps get and keep your baby’s attention while you talk.
Play with sounds. Get silly while playing and make sounds that connect with what your child is doing.
Use facial expressions and gestures to communicate the meaning of words.
Describe your actions as you dress, feed, and bathe your child. Pairing the same words with routine activities is a great way to develop language.
Encourage two-way communication. When your child communicates with you using sounds, words, or gestures, be sure to respond and take turns in “conversation.”
Read with your child. “Reading” can simply mean describing pictures without following the written words. Choose books with large, colorful pictures, and encourage your child to point to and name familiar objects.
Expand your child’s vocabulary by building on the words they already know. For example, if your child says “dog,” you could say “Yes, that’s a big dog!”
Reword your child’s phrases. If your child makes a speech or language error, respond with their phrase in the correct form. This helps them learn proper pronunciation and grammar. For example, if your child says “Doggy big,” you can respond with “Yes, the doggy is big.
As a parent or caregiver, we can’t help but worry about our children. Are they eating right? Getting enough sleep? Or too much screen time? Are they meeting their developmental milestones?
If you suspect your child may have a speech or language disorder, take the first step. Contact First Words Speech Therapy,
Speaking clearly and good communication is key to your child’s success in the future. The most important things you can do to help is to consult with a speech-language therapist, be patient, have a conversation and speak clearly to your child.
