Tips for Developing Your Child’s Speech and Language Skills
Birth – 6 Months
- Check your baby’s hearing (e.g., professionally screen your child, use a rattle or small bell and/or see if he responds to voice when awakened).
- Talk and sing to your baby.
- Repeat sounds your baby makes and attempt to engage it in a game of sounds.
- Model new sounds for your baby to hear and eventually produce.
- Read to your baby.
CONTACT us if your infant does not seem to be reaching many of the birth-6 month milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
6 – 12 Months
- Keep talking to your baby.
- Share pictures with your baby (e.g., Family members, kids in daycare, etc.).
- Try to avoid excessive use of pacifiers (This may inhibit attempts to communicate).
- Play games like peek a boo. (6-9 months).
- Reinforce babbling by imitating your baby and by turning babble into real words (e.g., That’s right, mamama. There’s mama over there.).
CONTACT us if your infant/toddler does not seem to be reaching many of the 12-24 month milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
12 – 24 Months
- If your toddler has not spoken her first words by 18 months have his/her hearing tested by an audiologist.
- If your toddler has not spoken at least 10 words by 18 months, CONTACT us.
- Sing a variety of songs, which encourage participation.
- Pause and give your toddler a chance to get his/her words out to speak.
- Engage your toddler in conversation to encourage use of new words and listening.
- Do not force your toddler to talk (Repeated commands to talk may inhibit him/her).
- Encourage talking within the context of situations (e.g., Say bye-bye when someone is leaving.)
- Read to your toddler!!!!!
CONTACT us if your toddler does not seem to be reaching many of the 12-24 month milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
2 – 3 years
- Provide a learning environment full of variety and love.
- Keep reading!!!
- Have your child’s hearing tested if he/she does not seem to be reaching many of the 2-3 year old milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
CONTACT us if your child does not seem to be reaching many of the 2-3 year milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
3 – 5 Years
- Nurture your child’s interest in the world. Go exploring.
- Wait patiently for your child to finish speaking.
- Do not pretend to have all of the answers.
- Go to the library together.
- Have your child’s hearing tested if he/she does not seem to be reaching many of the 3-5 year old milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.
CONTACT us if your toddler does not seem to be reaching many of the 3-5 year old milestones or if he/she does not seem to be progressing at a rate similar to other children.