This week, we have been discussing how to identify if your child is suffering from a speech disorder. We also discussed whether the Communication Milestones could be used as an indicator that your child may have a speech problem. You can help your toddler communicate better, regardless of whether or not they have been diagnosed with speech difficulties. Language building is vital in the first year of a child’s development. It is where most of the paths for developing speech, language, and cognitive skills are created.
It is important that parents create stimulating and encouraging activities for their child’s speech therapy. It is not uncommon for children to begin to comprehend and learn words and phrases before they can speak their first word. Early speech and language skills development are crucially important for parents and caregivers. Speech therapy Sydney would help children in building their language skills.
How can you make it happen? Here are four simple tips and tricks you can include in your daily life to provide speech therapy and encourage your child’s language-building skills.
Four Tips and Tricks to Make Speech Therapy Home a Success
Have regular storytelling time with your child.
Encourage dialogue. Instead of asking he a Yes/No question you can ask them open-ended, thought-provoking, questions like, “What would it do if you saw an enormous cow in your backyard?” You are encouraging your child’s freedom to voice his ideas and not be afraid of being wrong.
Listen to what you say. Think back to the childhood game of the phone. It turns out that the telephone is a wonderful way to teach your child the importance of listening to what you say and how to relate it to someone else. This is how to play the game if you can’t recall it. Begin a circle with your child and siblings. One person whispers to the other, and the person who whispers to the second person repeats the same word. The end goal of the telephone conversation is to use the same ending sentence as the beginning phrase. If your children are speaking to you, you should respond thoughtfully so that they can understand and accept their language. They want to feel heard.
Reading is one of the most important activities you can do for your child. Ask questions about the pictures. Have your child point to each page. If your child is older, ask them to share similar experiences. This will help your child to make connections between what he/she is hearing and the things he/she sees. It is possible that your child will want to read the same book repeatedly. Repeating the same story several times can help build confidence and familiarity, as well as language skills.
Make it FUN. Toddlers learn best when things are fun and interactive. If the activities feel like “homework,” your child won’t respond as well. Instead, make speech therapy fun and engaging for your child.