Each individual’s development is unique, and plenty of children may take longer in their language development than others.
In this blog, we will answer the following questions:
- What are the best ways to support language development in my child?
- What is the importance of speech-language therapy?
- How do I know whether my child needs a speech-language therapist?
What Are The Best Ways to Support Language Development In My Child?
You will remain their biggest support system because you interact with your child more often than a speech-language pathologist or teacher.
You can support language development by:
- Talking to them. You can play a significant role in modeling good speech patterns to your child. This includes speaking in your home language, using simple language or short sentences, copying and building on what they say, and using gestures.
- Spending time reading. Reading to your child exposes them to language skills. This includes rhyming, phonological awareness, and new vocabulary to help them learn to talk.
- Giving them time to listen. Allowing your child to process what you said increases the chance of success when communicating back. You can also repeat your words to give them a deeper understanding.
- Gently showing them the correct way. If you give your child the correct phrase through modeling instead of making them repeat the word, they will learn the proper pronunciation.
- Making interactions conversational. Making comments more often than asking questions will make the conversation feel less like a “test.” Focusing on being conversational helps your child feel more comfortable participating in the flow of a typical exchange.
- Having fun together! Talking to each other should be fun and engaging. Learning to communicate doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Make up a game or use their preferred play activity to make it feel less like a task or learning session.
What Is the Importance of Speech Therapy in Children?
Speech therapy is essential for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, it helps your child develop autonomous and meaningful communication. It can also help solidify your child’s oral motor skills, such as chewing, swallowing, and articulation.
Growing in communication skills helps your child develop confidence in everyday interactions, making conversations more natural and increasing their self-esteem in social settings.
How Do I Know Whether My Child Needs a Speech Therapist?
Communication skills can be delayed for several reasons, including learning difficulties, poor sight, and hearing, or underlying developmental delays.
Children may exhibit a variety of symptoms when experiencing speech-language delays, including:
- Frustration when trying to communicate
- Small vocabulary
- Difficulty forming sentences
- Lack of language understanding
- Difficulty articulating
Before they can advocate for themselves, you are your child’s number one supporter. If you notice your child struggling with developing language skills, it may be time to reach out to a speech-language pathologist.
