Strategies To Assist With Strengthening Your Child's Speech
Language development occurs during the formative years and children learn how to speak by mimicking others or by practicing word structures that are introduced during informal or formal sessions. The cause of a speech impediment should be assessed via a a speech therapist or a pathologist. If your youngster is struggling to communicate at times or if it is evident that certain letter combinations are difficult for them to vocalize, use some tips to help your child overcome the barrier.
Seek An Assessment
Attending a session with a therapist or a pathologist is non-invasive and will be conducted in a manner that a child would perceive as typical of any other adult-child interaction that they may normally experience in a social setting, such as during a one-on-one conversation with a teacher or a caregiver.
A child who has a speech impairment should be treated like any other child who can speak fluidly and you should avoid dwelling on communication barriers and focus on positive reinforcement instead. The severity of the speech issue will have a bearing on the strategies that are utilized to correct the problem.
For instance, since you live with your child and talk to them on a daily basis, you may be able to decipher what your loved one is trying to say, but in social settings your child's speech may be misinterpreted by a new acquaintance.
If a problem isn't severe, practicing phonics exercises and performing facial movements that will aid in pronouncing words properly may be all that are needed to improve speech. For a speech impediment that prevents you and others from understanding much of what your child says, a more intense treatment plan may be advised.
Use Picture Cards, Visuals, And Books
You may be provided with a schedule in which your child will meet with a therapist or a pathologist, to work on sounding out words properly and stringing them together in an effective manner. There are ways that you can aid your child in the strengthening of their speech.
Picture cards, visual aids, and books can be used as prompts that will encourage your loved one to use specific words or letter groups. During each 'at home' session, make the activity seem like a game. You can do this by using a sticker chart or another basic reward system to encourage your child to repeat after you or to vocalize what is depicted on each learning tool. Gently correct your child if they have difficulty saying a word or a letter grouping. Learn more about speech therapy today.