The process which a child develops their speech, language, and social skills will significantly impact every aspect of their life. Everything from improved articulation, the way they process language, express themselves, their success in school and increase their confidence.
For example, if your young child is struggling pronouncing the ‘r’ sound, it may not seem like a big deal. But without intervention, they face significant challenges. A child may have trouble talking with other children, speaking up in class, express their thoughts, reading comprehension, and this can stay with them as they grow up.
What To Expect From Your Child’s Speech Therapy
Toddlers Are Toddlers
Toddlers are different than preschoolers and older children. A toddler’s attention span is normally between 3 and 6 minutes. Depending on the activity, it could be even less. So, your child will not be expected to sit for a lengthy amount of time. Speech therapists know of many fun and creative ways to engage your toddler and know when it’s time to switch gears.
Learning Through Play
Toddlers love to play, that’s how they learn. Speech Therapy isn’t any different. You can expect your speech therapist to teach speech and language concepts through play based activities. Motivating them to express their feelings, thoughts and needs.
How You Can Help?
Building your child’s communication skills at home should be fun, building on what they say and following their lead. Focusing on a few strategies throughout the week can make a big impact.
Find Opportunities In Daily Routines
Everyday routines are great opportunities to apply communication strategies with your child. While speech therapy usually focuses around toys, don’t dismiss the importance of the mundane daily interactions, such as a diaper change or getting a snack, to promote language development.
First Words Speech Therapy
If you are concerned your child is not meeting developmental milestones, it is important to seek help. Early intervention is key, when speech – language impairments are identified early, treatment has positive results. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact First Words Therapy. We take a holistic approach to speech-language-therapy to help your child communicate more effectively.
