Speech and Language Development in Children: Tips for Parents

Parents are crucial in providing a conducive learning environment for their child.

Keep in mind not to pressure your child to speak as it may cause them to associate speaking with stress, and become resistant to it. Spending time with your child and exposing them to language will encourage them to pick up verbal communication skills from you.

Here are a few tips to support your child’s learning:

Ψ Speak to your child with simple words frequently

The more your child hears language, the more she or he will learn. Use simple words repeatedly and in various contexts so that your child picks up the meaning of the words.

(That being said, we may not always want our child to learn all of the words that we use, if you get the idea).

Ψ Read books to your child

Books exposes your child to new words which helps to develop their vocabulary. That said, books should be age-appropriate so that your child does not feel daunted or bored.

Ψ Repeat what your child says

Repetition helps children pick up new words and phrases. When your child says something, repeat it back to them clearly.

Ψ Using sign language

Sign language is a helpful alternative way of communication for children who are unable to speak to communicate what they want and need.

Ways to encourage your kids to speak

Ψ When your child starts to babble, encourage them by repeating the sounds they make. You could show interest in their babbling by smiling too. This will slowly encourage them to have a “conversation” with you.

Ψ To further encourage language development, engage your child with questions about things around them. For example, you may ask them, “what are you looking at”, “what sound is that”. This may interest them to converse with you.

Ψ Be a narrator of daily activities to your child. Describe what you and your child are doing, seeing or hearing. This could be naming things that you see at the supermarket or explaining what people are doing. Use simple words while avoiding “baby talk” to encourage learning of new words.

Ψ Talk to or sing with your child. This encourage production of speech sounds and the use of gesture for communication.

Ψ Avoid long and complex sentences with them. Stress and repeat specific words in reference to an object (e.g., “blue car”) to make an impression on your child

Speech therapy can help your child develop his or her communication skills. A speech therapist will work on the expansion of language or alternative communication strategies. They could also introduce exercises to strengthen the child’s oral muscles and teach the child how to coordinate the muscles used for speech. In some cases, the speech therapist may recommend your child to join a special education program.

Click here to find out more about our experienced speech therapist.