Speech-Language

What to Do to Encourage Your Child's
Speech/Language Development

The following ideas include ways to encourage the development of your child's speech/language skills.

Talk naturally to your child. Talk about what your child is doing and what your child sees.
Take time to listen to your child. Respond to what is said so your child knows you have been listening.
Don't push your child to learn to talk. Accept some speech mistakes as your child develops. Don't ask your child to slow down or repeat.
Have your child's hearing tested if you find you have to repeat a lot or have to talk loudly to get your child's attention.
Seek profeesional help if you are unsure. Never wait to get help for your child if you suspect a problem. You and your family members know more about your child than anyone.
Early identification and treatment of hearing, speech and language disorders can prevent problems with behavior, learning, reading and social interactions.

Ways to stimulate your child's expressive language:

Encourage your child to use language to express his feelings and ideas.
Avoid asking your child questions that require only a yes/no answer.
Encourage your child to draw pictures and tell you about the picture.
Help your child memorize songs, nursery rhymes or verses.
READ! Read stories to your child and have the child retell the story to you.
Talk to your child and really listen when they talk to you.

Ways to help your child speak clearer:

Be a good speech model for your child. Do not use baby talk.
Always pronounce words clearly, slowly and correctly for your child to hear and immitate.
Maintain eye contact with your child when talking to them.
Allow your child to watch your face, lips and tongue as you form sounds and words and prolong the speech sound your child has difficulty saying. For example, say, "Where is your sssssssssssock?"
Repeat new words and sounds over and over. Use them often when you talk to your child.
Praise the child when sounds are made correctly.

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		Email Wendy Consoli at wconsoli@esu1.org

Speech/Language Home Page SLP Staff Developmental Milestones Ways To Encourage Your Child's Speech/Language Development Areas Affecting Speech Articulation Norms ESU #1 Speech Staff Documents Resources and Links Workshops and Registration ESU #1 SPED Home Page ESU #1 Home Page	What to Do to Encourage Your Child's Speech/Language Development The following ideas include ways to encourage the development of your child's speech/language skills. Talk naturally to your child. Talk about what your child is doing and what your child sees. Take time to listen to your child. Respond to what is said so your child knows you have been listening. Don't push your child to learn to talk. Accept some speech mistakes as your child develops. Don't ask your child to slow down or repeat. Have your child's hearing tested if you find you have to repeat a lot or have to talk loudly to get your child's attention. Seek profeesional help if you are unsure. Never wait to get help for your child if you suspect a problem. You and your family members know more about your child than anyone. Early identification and treatment of hearing, speech and language disorders can prevent problems with behavior, learning, reading and social interactions. Ways to stimulate your child's expressive language: Encourage your child to use language to express his feelings and ideas. Avoid asking your child questions that require only a yes/no answer. Encourage your child to draw pictures and tell you about the picture. Help your child memorize songs, nursery rhymes or verses. READ! Read stories to your child and have the child retell the story to you. Talk to your child and really listen when they talk to you. Ways to help your child speak clearer: Be a good speech model for your child. Do not use baby talk. Always pronounce words clearly, slowly and correctly for your child to hear and immitate. Maintain eye contact with your child when talking to them. Allow your child to watch your face, lips and tongue as you form sounds and words and prolong the speech sound your child has difficulty saying. For example, say, "Where is your sssssssssssock?" Repeat new words and sounds over and over. Use them often when you talk to your child. Praise the child when sounds are made correctly. Back to ESU #1 Home Page