How to Help Speech Problems at Home

Before your child learns to talk, they must be able to understand, to make sense of things. Your child does this by linking words with experiences. These experiences will be of people, objects, events and actions.

Every child develops speech skills at their own rate and sometimes, as a parent, you might feel that their development is slower or different to other children.

There are lots of ways you can help your child learn to talk and to help them overcome communication difficulties, should they arise.

Instructions

• 1

  Listen closely to your child if you suspect a speech problem. Compare sounds and speech development to other children of similar ages. Ask friends, other family members, day care staff and school staff if they have noticed any problems. If you are concerned about your child's speech development, speak to your speech-language pathologist or other health care worker.

• 2

  Your health care professional can quickly check for any hearing difficulites.

  Arrange a hearing test if your child is prone to frequent ear infections or if you are concerned about their hearing. Even a temporary hearing loss can slow speech development.

• 3

  Practice looking and listening together. Turn the TV, radio and video off while you practice so your child can hear you and other people speaking. To learn to speak a child must learn to look and listen. Make sure your child is watching what you are doing and listening to you when you are talking. Arrange for quiet times when you can talk or look at books together.

• 4

  Listen to your child. If you listen carefully you can learn what sounds or words your child is using, what they are using them for and build on these. For example: If your child says "bi" each time you give them a biscuit they are probably trying to say biscuit. You can pick up on this and model the word.

  "Biscuit - You want a biscuit - a chocolate biscuit" etc.

• 5

  Use words in simple sentences. Keep your statements short and uncomplicated. Speak slowly and wait for a response.

• 6

  Talking while you play helps build understanding.

  Use words that go with what is happening as it is happening. Talk about the here and now. Tell your child the names of people, objects, events and actions so they can build the link between words and everyday and familiar situations. Don't try to get your child to repeat these words. They will attempt to master the words when they are ready.

• 7

  Give your child opportunities and choices in conversation: "Juice or milk?", "Do you want dolly or teddy?". Take turns and give your child time to respond. Don't rush in -- your child needs time and space to speak.

• 8

  Don't always anticipate your child's needs. If you give children whatever they want or need without expecting communication, they will learn that they don't have to communicate verbally with you. Try putting some favorite toys or food on a high shelf or in a cupboard where they can be seen but not reached without help. If your child wants these items, he must ask for them.

• 9

  Repeat yourself often. Your child needs to listen to you repeating words many times in order to learn them. Use the same words that go with daily routines "shoes off, taps on, in water, wash face" and so on. Sing Nursery Rhymes and songs, such as Humpty Dumpty or Wheels on the Bus,.and read stories together.

• 10

  Use your child's interests as a starting point for talking.

  Follow your child's lead. Join in with what your child is doing and follow her interests. Children pay more attention to the things that interest them, and it is more likely that your child will listen and learn from the experience.

• 11

  Don't let your child watch lots of television, videos or play too many computer games. Your child needs to listen to language that is tuned into her needs -- only personal interaction can accomplish this.

• 12

  Don't worry if the child's words aren't clear at first. Say them again clearly so your child has the chance to listen to how they should sound, but don't force a child to repeat words or ask too many questions.

• 13

  Learning to talk should be fun for everyone!

  Play and have fun. This helps with coordination and problem solving skills, develops imagination and lets your child practice communicating.