My youngest son is having speach and language difficulties ...the following is a synopsis of the more helpful advice we've been given in the hope that it helps you and your child too ...
Learning to talk is one of the most complex skills your child will learn - this guide gives advice on how to help your child become a good communicatorenabling them to express themselves, to listen, learn, read, make friends and be confident.
1. Dummies and Talking
Babies like to suck and dummies can help to soothe a baby at bedtime or when your baby is tired or cross, but regular and extended use of dummies can create problems with your childs speach.
Try to wean your baby of dummies by the timethey reach 12months beacuse this is the time that they start to babble and use words.
Make a clean break, throw away all your dummies over a weekend or when you have support. Most babies will will fret forno more than 2-3 days before learning to settle themselves without a dummy.
Dummies prevent babies from babbling - an important step towards talking so only use at bedtime if you really have to
When your baby cries they are trying to tell you something, try to find out what is troubling them rather than putting a dummy in their mouth
Never dip a dummy into honey or anything sweet as this can cause tooth decay
Remember,learning to talk can be tricky so toddlers need lots of practice. Dummies discourage your toddler from chatting with you which s/he needs to doto develop his/her language skills.
If your toddler is still using a dummy, ask him/her to take it out before they speak to you so that their mouths can make the correct shapes for speach.
2. MAKING THE MOST OF TELEVISION
Like adults children often use the tv to relax and unwind. Used in the right way the tv can be beneficial but too much can be harmful so it is important to get the balance right ...
I was advised that under 1 they should have no more than 1/2 an hour per day and between 2-5 years no more than 1 hour but in practice I think most adults will find this hard to stick to
Always turn the tv off when no-one is watching itbecause the background noise can distratct you and your child from playing, listening and talking to each other.
Try to limit your child to watching programmes that have been specifically designed for their age group.
Allowing your child to watch the same DVD or video again and again is better than letting them watch tv, repitition and familarity of words and phrases make it easier for children to lean from
Try and watch tv programmes and videos DVD's together so that you can discuss what you're watching
Don't put a tv in a childs room
Don't use the tv to put your child to sleep
3. Saying Hello to your Baby
Talking to your baby from day one will help you get to know each other.
Even babies a few hours old will seak out faces and study them intently, you baby is listening so keep talking !
Copy back any cooing bubububu rarararara mumumumu sounds,
4. Playing with your Baby
You don't need a load of expensive toys .... you are your babies bestplaymate ....Count your babies toes, play peekaboo, sing songs
Choose safe simple toys that can be mouthed by your baby, exploring toys with their tounge and mouth is all part of speach development.
Make lots of play sounds "brum brum" "woof woof" "glug glug" "oink oink" .etc this way your child will learn that objects don't just have names but that they have fun sounds too.
As your baby gets to be a toddler don't be tempted to teach them anything while they are playing ... kids learn best when they choose and direct their own play and you follow their lead.
5. Talking with your Baby
Talk to your baby during the day - provide a running commentery when you're feeding bathing or changing a nappy.
Talk about the things you see on the way to the shops using single words eg "Dog" "Digger" "Car" "Park" "Bus"
Look at your baby as you talk, listen carefullyand give your baby a chance to answer you
Cuddle up and share a book, talk about the pictures as well as reading the story.
Have fun with nursery rhymes and songs especially those with actions 'wind the bobin up' 'twinkle twinkle' 'head shoulders knees and toes'
Watch tv together and talk about what you're watching
If your toddler says something incorrectly, you say it back the right way but don't chastise..... my kids used to say teacups for hiccups and radihaters instead of radiators !!
6. Sharing Books
Sharing books is a wonderful way to help your child learn to speak and its a great oppoirtunity to share a cuddle.
Find a quiet cosy place with the tv and radio off
As well as reading the story use the pictures to talk about thingsin your child's r5eal life - eg if there is a picture of a cat talk about a cat you know.
Give your child time to respond to your chatter
Don't put any pressure on your child to name the pictures, but if s/he copies your words praise him/her and repeat the word again to reinforce.
Visit your local library for different books, it's free to join - don't worry if books get damaged by your baby, libraries understand !
Don't read for too long - little kids get bored - little and often is best
Let other grown ups join in .... grandparents, older siblings and other carers
It's good to share favorite books again and again - repitition helps children to understand and remember the language they hear.
Rememeber you are not teaching your child to read You learn to talk a long time before you learn to read and book sharing is an excellent way to help your childs language development.
7. Sharing Songs and Nursery Rhymes
Babies love songs and nursery rhymes especially hearing the sound of your voice and they're a great way to help your child's talking and listening skills
Your voice is your babies favorite music ! so sing sing sing !
Turn off the tv and radio so your baby can hear your voice.
You don;t have to sing baby songs you can sing the latest chart music, opera or anything - if you show you're enjoying singing your baby will enjoy it too
You can borrow music cds and tapes from the library, choose rhyming books too
When you're baby is tired or upset trying singing a soft lullaby theyshould quieten to hear your voice
Young kids learn best through play so make songs and rhymes fun, change the sound of your voice, make up some actions or add your childs name or the names of family and friends
When your toddler joins in show that you've noticed by giving lots of encouragement and praise.
Even if your toddler is just beginning to talk listen to his reaction to the song or rhyme.
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