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Parents and caregivers play a key role in children's speech and language development. They are the first model a child hears. Many parents of children with communication delays/disorders ask what the best strategies are to help their child at home. Listed below are general helpful guidelines and methods that I recommend for all parents. If you would like additional individualized techniques or have further questions, please feel free to contact me via your child's speech folder, e-mail, or phone. Contact information is listed on my Homepage.
- Do not expect immediate carryover in using the newly acquired speech and language skills. It is going to take some time and practice before these skills are maintained.
- Speak clearly, pause often, and allow your child time to respond. Take opportunities to get down to your child's eye level. This will allow him/her to hear and see the correct use of sentence structures, speech sounds and vocabulary.
- Appreciate your child's accomplishments. Reward your child by giving positive feedback for using his/her skills. Compliments will encourage your child to continue to learn and express his/her thoughts.
- Make learning fun. Follow your child's lead in finding things that are fun to do. Use those opportunities to build on their language, articulation, grammar and conversational skills. Talk about what you are doing together.
- Find optimal times throughout the day to share in conversation. During those opportunities, attempt to remove or reduce distractions (i.e. television, cell phone).
- Be aware of the days your child attends speech class. Look for your child's speech folder and assist him/her with the assignments.
- Most importantly, be positive and enthusiastic.
HL