Developing speech, language in your child
Published: Monday | November 9, 2009
POSITIVE Parenting
EVERY CHILD is different. Some children are quicker than average while others are slower in acquiring language skills. The comprehension of language precedes speech. Parents should become concerned and consult a doctor if their child is not saying anything by age two years or not stringing words together by age three years.
The following simple guidelines will help you to train your child to understand what is said and to express himself in an understandable manner:
1. Imitating gross motor movements: Run, jump, clap, touch your head, while you name the activity and have the child imitate the action. Increase the number of activities in a row, (two then three, etc.) and have your child imitate the actions in the same order. Other activities include standing in front of, beside or behind a chair.
2. Following commands: Give the child a simple command to follow, such as stand, sit or clap. Increase the length of the command to two and three in a row and have the child follow them in the correct order.
3. Finding: After showing the child two items or pictures e.g. animals, body parts, things in the environment, have the child point to the one you name. Gradually increase the number of items your child must choose from.
4. Naming: After the child can point to various objects and pictures, have her start naming those same objects and pictures.
5. Reading stories: Read to your child from as early as the first year. For example, bedtime stories. Also, practise reciting nursery rhymes, jingles, saying the alphabet and counting with your child.
6. Putting words together: Action concepts can be taught using known objects, remembering to keep speech short. For example, mommy laugh, dog bark, bird sing, car drive.
7. Limiting television viewing: Recent research shows that excessive television viewing in childhood delays the development of spontaneous speech. Experts advise that children under two years of age should not be allowed to watch television.
Professor Robert Gray is a paediatric neurologist and founding member of the Paediatric Association of Jamaica.
Talk a lot to your child. Name things for him or her. Show him or her things that are around. Keep your speech short. Children understand speech before they use it. Allow your child to point to things before expecting him or her to name them. Do not expect too much from your child, or show frustration. Be patient. Praise him or her a lot for understanding and speaking rather than punishing him or her for not. Children will not use language if they have no need for it. Create a need. Do not give them everything without at least trying to make them ask for it. Children love attention. When they act rude, they often get attention, even if it is punishment. So ignore temper tantrums and screaming and reward good behaviour instead.
