Learning to talk is exciting. It starts right after birth. It should be fun for your child, family and friends. But it is not necessarily easy. The process of talking involves paying attention, listening, thinking, understanding, want and need to speak.
The
following are some ways in which you can help your child learn to talk.
Be
patient !
following are some ways in which you can help your child learn to talk.
Be
patient !
The process is gradual and may seem slow. Words
may be unclear and your child may stumble or hesitate
may be unclear and your child may stumble or hesitate
1. Use short phrases/words.
2. Explore nursery rhymes
3. Expose child to different sounds
4. Help your child to focus on you or the object
you are talking about.
you are talking about.
5. Encourage your child to communicate through
gestures. Respond to your child gesture’s in words.
gestures. Respond to your child gesture’s in words.
6. Give you child choice ( e.g.: “Do you
want an apple or a banana?”).
want an apple or a banana?”).
7.Talk about things as they happen (e.g. When
changing him, watching television, unpacking the shopping or grocery).
changing him, watching television, unpacking the shopping or grocery).
8. Listen carefully and give your child time to
finish whatever he is saying. Take turns to speak.
finish whatever he is saying. Take turns to speak.
9. Praise your child for all his/her attempts to
communicate (e.g. good talking)
communicate (e.g. good talking)
10. Help your child to use more words by adding
onto what he is saying.
onto what he is saying.
E.g.
Child :”Ball”
Adult : ‘Yes, throw the ball. Good ! It’s a big
ball.”
ball.”
11. If your child says something incorrectly, say
it back the correct way. However, do not force your child to repeat the
word9s).
it back the correct way. However, do not force your child to repeat the
word9s).
E.g.
Child: “Pi..”
Adult: “Yes, fish”
12. Dedicate a special time your child each day to
play with toys and read picture books together.
play with toys and read picture books together.
Remember….
Don’t expect too much too soon.
Listen to what your child has to say.
Praise your child when they attempt to
communicate their thoughts and needs appropriately.
communicate their thoughts and needs appropriately.
Don’t worry if he is not at exactly the same
stage as your friend’s child. Talking takes time- don’t hurry him/her.
stage as your friend’s child. Talking takes time- don’t hurry him/her.
Extract from KKH healthpedia
Lovely post. True and to the point