Many children develop speech and language problems at a very early age so it is very important for parents to identify the symptoms and seek proper treatment. Delaying treatment will delay the child’s major development skills therefore early diagnosis must be done. Here are some basic tips to help your child.
Ear Check up
Hearing plays a huge part in your child’s language skill. Ear infections can cause mild loss of hearing in toddlers and this may be the cause for delayed speech. For your child to understand and use the language properly firstly it must be heard clearly. Especially if your child has a history of ear infections your must have his ears checked as soon as possible.
Seek Advice
Delay in any part of the child’s development must be treated immediately. A child’s development is crucial from birth to approximately two or three years. You can visit a paediatric clinic Newcastle and consult a pathologist who will treat your child and advice you about how to help your child.
Speak slowly and clearly
You must try to regulate the speed of your speech and speak at a slower pace. Try to repeat words and important phrases. This will help your child catch up with you. If your talk quickly and unclearly your child is bound to tune you out and ignore you. Talking slowly doesn’t mean you talk babyishly as this is not going to help your child’s language skills.
Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact with your child while you are talking to him is a good way for him to understand what you are saying. So make sure you are looking at your child when you are talking to him. Eye contact is an essential part of communication so your child can gain from this.
Build your Child’s Confidence
Do not make your child repeat a word or pronounce a word correctly because his inability to say it can make him frustrated and lower his level of confidence. You may repeat the word correctly but do not expect your child to do the same. Rather encourage him to talk by holding a conversation with him. Do not be discouraged because right speech therapy will definitely improve your child’s skills in the future.
Read
Looking at a physical book and holding it, pointing at pictures all help your child’s pre-literary skills. Choose books with interesting stories and large pictures that will grab your child’s attention. Books and pictures can be a means for your child to express himself better through the incidents in the story.