The Gift of Speech and Language
One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is
the ability to communicate effectively with others. Parents play a key role in
the development of speech and language in preschool children.
While interacting with their children during daily
routines parents should be aware of the need to provide names for objects that
the child shows an interest in. Children
learn words by hearing them frequently in their natural environment and by
having words repeated often.
Sharing books with children in a way that
encourages them to comment on pictures, rather than concentrating on the text,
helps to develop the child’s interest in sharing ideas and learning new
vocabulary. During preschool years, it is more important to
use books as an opportunity to provide new experiences and new language, than
it is to emphasize the ability to read.
Sharing songs provides opportunities to help young
children develop good speech and language skills. Children can be encouraged to
use words to stay involved in the activity, when parents slow down during a
rhyme or song and wait for the child to say familiar words or make fun sounds.
Children develop speech and language at certain ages and
stages. If a child is not using words at
the appropriate stage of development, it may indicate a language delay.
Although each child develops at his or her own pace, they should be reaching
milestones that are typical for most children. Good speech and language
development provides the necessary tools for later reading and writing, and for
success in school and in life.
tykeTALK is a
government funded program that provides speech and language development for
children until they start school. It is never too early for a parent to refer a
child to the program.
For further information call 519-663-0273
Source: Judy Ball, Speech-Language Pathologist and
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