Parents and caregivers can make a big difference in a child’s speech and language development. Below are three tips to help increase your child’s speech and language skills at home.
To implement these tips, designate two 10-minute periods throughout the day to focus on speech and language (set a timer and check it off on a calendar to hold yourself accountable!). Remember, communication is the exchange of information. This could be through gestures, signs, or verbal messages!
Follow Your Child’s Lead
Many therapists implement play-based therapy, and there is good reason for it! Your child’s communication potential is at its highest when they’re motivated by the toys and activities they prefer.
Pay attention to what your child is doing and join in on the play. Grab a similar item (i.e., a different dinosaur or a block) and model the language that surrounds this play.
Choose 1-2 functional words and model those words throughout the activity
Blocks: Up, More
Cars: Stop, Go
Lights: On, Off
Music: More, Help
Entice Your Child to Communicate
As a parent or caregiver, it is very easy to predict your child’s wants and needs or what they will do next. Manipulate the environment and provide wait time (3-5 seconds!) so your child has to use spontaneous communication to get the desired item, action, or object.
Provide choices! Do you want the red car or the green car?
Place wanted items out of reach. Your child will have to communicate to you what they want.
Give preferred food items one at a time and encourage your child to sign or verbally ask for more!
Provide your child with a snack or a toy container that is hard to open. What will they do?
Play with Your Child (without toys!)
Toys are great for many reasons, but sometimes you can elicit the most meaningful language when your child is interacting with you!
Go for a ride in a laundry basket! Place an empty laundry basket in the middle of the room. What do they do?
Sing songs that have action: Trot Trot to Boston, Pat-A-Cake, Wheels on the Bus
Tickle your child. Provide wait time and encourage them to ask for more.
Play Hide and Seek and when they find you, do something they’ll want you to do again!
Play Peek-A-Boo
If you are concerned about your child’s development and need additional support, there are a few things you can do:
1). Talk to your pediatrician! Your pediatrician is a great resource and will help point you in the right direction. The “Wait and See” approach is outdated– trust your gut!
2). Seek out speech therapy services. An evaluation will determine if speech and language therapy is warranted. Based on your child’s age, there are a few options available:
Early Intervention
Early Intervention (EI) is a government funded program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.
Private Speech Therapy
Private speech therapy is offered within most cities and suburbs. Therapy is provided within a clinic setting, at the child’s home, or at the child’s school. Private speech therapy is offered to children of all ages and is tailored to a child’s specific needs and goals.
