How to Help Your Child's Language Development

Whether your child has just uttered their first real word or has been talking for quite some time, there is much you can do to help them master their verbal communication skills.

The ability to speak well can and does transition into every aspect of their lives. There are easy tips to help you in this very important stage of your child's life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Talk with your child often from a very young age. Never use 'baby talk' but rather speak in terms they can understand well but are articulated clearly. Their first lesson in speaking well is hearing.

2. Read to your child often. As they take a genuine interest in what you are reading, read to them with books that allow them to see what is spoken by clear pictures. Take the time to point out what the story is saying. When there is a visual aspect to the spoken word, it is understood much easier.

3. Allow your child opportunities to speak with people of various ages, not just their age group peers. Speaking with adults will help build their vocabulary. Speaking with younger children can help them build their confidence.

4. Play word games with your child. Make it fun to articulate their thoughts verbally. This can range by age and ability from pointing to something and asking what it is to memorizing poems or bible verses. Looking up a new word everyday and challenging them to use it as often as possible throughout the day is a fun game for older children.

Tips & Warnings

• Resist the urge to over-correct your child's grammar and pronunciation abilities. There is a fine line between teaching and encouraging and making a child feel the challenge is too large and destroying their confidence.
• If your child has speech difficulties that they can't seem to master, it is advisable to contact your pediatrician or speech therapist as soon as possible. Waiting to do so can have an adverse affect on your child's learning progress.

[edwardvance]

on 10/25/2009 Excellent article on helping a child's language development. 5*

[amylaine]

on 10/17/2009 Reading to a child is very important. Great tips.