Promoting Speech and Language
By Patricia Chambers, CCC-SLP, PhD
Promoting Speech and Language
Although early intervention and speech therapy are essential to helping a child with speech delays, there are things parents and caregivers can do to support a child's speech, which include:
- Reading to your child. Picture books are great because they allow you to make a game of pointing and naming familiar objects.
- Using simple language and asking him questions. Narrating is a good practice to get into to help foster speech development. It may seem weird at first but hearing words constantly will help your child make the connections necessary to formulate his speech and language.
- Giving positive reinforcement when your child does talk.
- Using speech to match his gestures. When he points to an object he wants, such as a cup of juice, say “Do you want some juice?” or “Oh, you want the cup,” etc. and then give it to him.
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