Children develop speech and language skills at different rates, comparing them to other children is not necessarily an effective way to measure their development. But equally important, if you suspect your child has a speech or language disorder, it is important to take action.
“The earlier a child’s speech and language problems are identified and treated, the less likely it is that problems will persist or get worse. Early speech and language intervention can help children be more successful with reading, writing, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships,” according to ASHA.
In last week’s blog, we talked about how you can help a child with a speech delay or a late talker
Encouraging speech and language development is about the quantity and quality of the words they use. Here are a few more helpful tips to help your child.
Engage in two-way conversations
A great way to improve a speech delay or a late talker is to engage in two-way conversations. Ask some questions about what is happening as you do things in your day to day activities. Give them time to respond. It may take some time for them to formulate their words. Try not to answer for them or siblings to answer for them.
When your child’s speaks, try not to correct them
It is important to build confidence in your child’s speech and language skills. Try not to correct them when working to enhance their speech. Any sound or word is progress. For instance, if your child points to a cat and says “dog”, instead of correcting them, an encourage phrase would be, “That cat really looks like a dog”
Talk more with your child
Throughout the day, talk with your child. Whether you are doing the dishes, making a meal, and cleaning up, get their attention and narrate what you are doing. Talk in complete sentences and try to simplify your words.
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech-language development, it is important to be proactive. We encourage you to contact First Words Speech Therapy, we provide a comprehensive evaluation for a variety of speech, language, and occupational needs. We are dedicated to providing personalized care to meet your child’s speech and language needs.
