Language helps people to articulate their needs. Young children sometimes have trouble with language skills for a variety of reasons, but there are some things you can do to help them meet with verbal success. If your child seems to be developmentally behind her peers verbally, ask your doctor to refer you to an auditory specialist to rule out the possibility of a hearing problem. An auditory specialist can also refer you to a licensed speech therapist who can work one on one with your child to improve their verbal skills.
Making Space to Listen
Step 1
Set a time each day to offer your child one on one listening time. During this time, you can play a game or play with interactive toys to encourage your child to engage in storytelling.
Step 2
Strive for active listening when your child is speaking. If you misunderstand a word or sentence, tell your child that you were not listening carefully and ask them with an encouraging smile to repeat what they said a little slower. Make it a point to offer your full attention to their words.
Step 3
Protect your child from interruptions when she is speaking. Do not allow siblings or other people to interrupt your child's speech. Interruptions in a busy household contribute greatly to speech and language delays.
Step 4
Promote enthusiasm for verbosity by ensuring that this special time is fun for your child. Do not focus on any verbal problems; just let your child talk. Practice makes perfect.
Step 5
Teach your child silly rhymes as a fun way to help him get control of his tongue. Tongue twisters teach verbal focus and instill laughter into the process.
Modeling Verbal Skills
Step 1
Read to your child every day. Reading to your child gives him a chance to listen to how words sound while enjoying the nurturance of story-time.
Step 2
Read recipes out loud to yourself when your child is there. Ask your child to help you gather the items you need. This creates a communication bridge where listening is connected to talking.
Step 3
Actively pursue pockets of time to converse with your child. Ask her questions that will inspire her to express how she feels about various things. If you both enjoy music, you can sing songs together to enrich the verbal nature of your child's life.
Step 4
Increase your own vocabulary by looking up a new word to use throughout the day. Share with your child that you have learned a new word, and tell him what it means. You can help him to choose a new word as well with guidance on its pronunciation and proper use.
Step 5
Provide your child with an opportunity to learn a foreign language, which has been shown to increase verbal awareness. Learning the language with your child will provide additional communication opportunities between you and your child.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not pressure your child to "speak correctly" or to "stop stuttering." Focusing on verbal problems tends to increase the intensity and duration of the problem.
- Delayed speech can be an indication of hearing impairment or developmental disabilities. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you are worried that your child may suffer with one of these issues.
Things You'll Need
- Interactive toys
- Games
- Books
References
- "Your Baby and Child - From Birth to Age 5"; Penelope Leach; 1997
- "Health & Wellness Handbook"; The SouthWestern Company; 2005
- "The Attachment Parenting Book"; William and Martha Sears; 2001
