A child’s speech significantly impacts their emotional and social development. Speech and language provides them with the tools for interacting with others and learning.
The earlier a child’s speech issue is diagnosed the more beneficial it is for their social and emotional development. It isn’t always easy to decipher the signs correlating to a child struggling with communicating their thoughts and feelings.
How important is communication skills, speech and language, for a child’s emotional and social development?
Speech and language skills are vital for the development of communication, social and emotional skills. The development starts early, in their initial comprehension of their world.
When a difficulty arises in this area, it can impede on their ability to express their observations and ideas. When they get older, they have difficulty expressing themselves, have unclear speech patterns, stutter, poor annunciation, avoid social situations, isolate themselves or minimize verbal interactions. This is often seen by excessive shyness, emotional outbursts, or low frustration tolerance.
How is academic progress affected by speech and language?
When a child starts school, they observe the other children and how they socialize with others their own age. If there is a noticeable difference in the speech, other children are easily understood, able to articulate and express themselves easily, it often leads to lower confidence and class performance.
It can be seen in overly frustrated, more self conscious, teased by peers, isolation, and limited social development and growth.
When should I contact a speech therapist for my child?
If your child isn’t meeting the age related milestones or their speech or language is having a negative impact or affecting your child’s ability to participate in daily activities. Also, if your child is constantly struggling, not making progress, or if you have any concerns, it is important to contact a speech therapist.
At First Words, our therapists are trained with extensive clinical experience which they continuously improve upon by remaining current with clinically proven, evidence-based evaluation and therapy practices. Our therapists are devoted to providing your child with the highest quality of care and we are here to help.
