We already know that reading to our child has multiple benefits. They are introduced to new vocabulary, they get to spend the one-on-one time with you, it is a bonding experience. You can take it one step further by using these tips to promote language development by  reading to your child

​Read with enthusiasm and expression

Use different voices for different characters. You may feel silly doing it but it helps children differentiate the characters in the story. They also love hearing you do it!
Match your expressions and body language to the punctuations. Words like “Wow!” and “Boom!” can be spoken slightly louder than the rest of the words. Use hand gestures (if possible while holding a book) or bounce if the child is sitting in your lap. Question words like, “How?”, “Who?” and “Where?”, you can raise your hands with palms facing up.

Explore the pictures

Make connections between the picture and what the child already knows. “See the puppy? Grandma has a puppy like that,” or “The boy is going to the library. Remember when we went to the library?”
Point out objects in the picture to help with vocabulary and categorization. “I see a sand bucket, a shovel and a towel. The girl is wearing sunglasses. Those are all things you need at the beach.”
Recognize facial expressions. Pointing out specific facial features and combining them with a named emotion not only helps with language, but can help develop the child’s social/emotional awareness as well. “Look at his scrunched eyebrows. His face looks red. I bet he’s mad,” or “She is smiling. She looks happy."

Ask questions

Asking questions boosts comprehension and keeps the child engaged. “Why do you think she did that?”, “Where do you think they’re going?”, “Would you ever do that?”

Do you use these strategies? Let me know what tips/tricks you use while reading to your child!

Books!

Believe it or not, storytelling plays a key role in language development. Interactive storybooks with sound effects and captivating visuals not only stimulate imagination, but also enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills. Look for storybooks that encourage verbal participation, allowing your child to interact with the characters and narrate the story in their own words. If your child is not old enough to narrate, don't feel like you need to stick to the script. Point out pictures in the book and talk about them with your child. Discuss how characters are feeling and their relationships with other characters in the book. 

Building Blocks and Playsets

Open-ended toys like building blocks and playsets provide opportunities for promoting language development through imaginative play. Encourage your child to create stories and scenarios while playing. This helps improve their communication skills as they describe their ideas, problem-solve, and negotiate during pretend play. For younger children, you can focus on key words and phrases like, "oh no" when the tower you built falls, "more blocks" when your child is reaching for more, and describing words/phrases like, "it's big" or "that's tall". 

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Puzzles

Puzzles are not only great for fine motor skills development but also aid in language acquisition. Opt for puzzles that feature animals, objects, or scenes, as they provide an excellent platform for learning new words. As your child solves the puzzle, encourage them to name the objects, describe their features, or even form simple sentences.

Board Games

Board games that focus on promoting language skills, such as word matching or memory games, are fantastic for vocabulary enrichment and cognitive development. These games encourage turn-taking, listening, and verbal expression, promoting effective communication and critical thinking.

Musical Instruments

Musical toys, such as keyboards, drums, or xylophones, not only ignite a lifelong passion for music but also foster language development. Singing along with nursery rhymes, creating rhythmic patterns, and exploring different sounds and pitches can improve phonetic awareness, rhythm, and pronunciation. Parents can use these toys to model descriptive words like, "loud", "quiet" and "noisy" for their child. 

Language development is a milestone that is eagerly awaited by parents, and it is a moment of joy when a child starts to communicate with words. However, some children may not develop language skills at the same pace as their peers. These children, known as "late talkers," may leave their parents concerned and searching for answers. In this discussion, we will explore the world of late talkers, understand the possible reasons behind their delayed language development, and discuss strategies to support them.

What are Late Talkers?

Late talkers are typically children between the ages of 18 and 30 months who have a limited vocabulary and struggle with expressive language skills. While every child develops at their own pace, most children acquire a considerable number of words and begin stringing them together to form sentences by the age of two. However, late talkers show delayed language development compared to their peers around the same age.

Possible Causes of Late Talking

There can be various factors contributing to a child's late-talking status. Some common causes include:

1. Developmental Delays: Late talkers may have certain developmental delays, such as delays in overall cognitive development, auditory processing, or motor skills. These delays can impact their language acquisition abilities.
2. Genetic Predisposition: Some children may have a genetic predisposition towards delayed language development. Research suggests that late talking can run in families, indicating a genetic link.
3. Environmental Factors: The child's language environment plays a significant role in language development. If a child is not exposed to rich language input or lacks meaningful interactions, their language skills may be affected.

Supporting Late Talkers

When parents identify their child as a late talker, they may feel worried and unsure about how to support their child's language development. Here are some strategies that caregivers can implement:

1. Create a Language-Rich Environment: Surround your child with words. Talk to them frequently and engage them in interactive conversations. Use descriptive language and encourage them to participate. Reading aloud and exposing them to books can also foster language development.
2. Utilize Visual Aids and Gestures: Incorporate gestures, sign language, and visual aids to enhance communication. This can help bridge the gap between the child's limited verbal skills and their ability to express themselves.
3. Seek Professional Guidance: If you are concerned about your child's language development, it is crucial to consult with a speech-language pathologist or an early intervention specialist. These professionals can assess your child's language skills, provide targeted interventions, and offer advice on how to support their language development at home.
4. Encourage Play and Social Interaction: Play is an essential component of language development. Encourage your child to engage in interactive play with peers, siblings, or parents. This facilitates the use of social language and helps them practice their communication skills.

Conclusion

Late talkers may experience delayed language development, but with proper support and intervention, they can catch up to their peers and flourish in their language skills. As caregivers and parents, it is vital to create a language-rich environment, seek professional guidance when needed, and provide meaningful interactions to support their language development journey. Every child is unique, and late talking is just one phase in their language acquisition process. With patience, understanding, and appropriate strategies, we can help late talkers thrive and reach their full linguistic potential.
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Remember, if you have any concerns regarding your child's language development, always consult with a healthcare professional or a speech-language pathologist.

"I think my child needs speech therapy..."

Has that thought ever crossed your mind? How do you know if they need speech therapy or if they are on track? 

If you’re worried about your child's speech or language, the first step would be to consult with your pediatrician, or you can reach out to a private practice that specializes in speech language pathology, like Cedar Lane Speech. They can help you determine if your child is meeting his or her communication milestones. Another thing they might do is have your child’s hearing screened. If a child has fluid in their ears, or is just having trouble hearing, that can affect their speech and language development.

Don't have time to see your pediatrician? We are all very busy people. Here's a quick break down of developmental communication milestones:
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• Age 1:         The child should have spoken their first words and be using single words
• Age 2:         The child should have a vocabulary of about 200 words and be using 2-word phrases (“mama help”, “car go”)
• Age 3:         The child should have a vocabulary of about 300 words and be using 3 word phrases 

Still have concerns? 
 
Remember, every child is different. Kids can choose not to talk and still understand language OR they’ve figured out that speech is HARD. Every child is truly unique. Toddlers’ brains develop at a rapid rate. There is so much learning and development happening, especially before the age of 3. If your child isn’t talking yet, don’t be hard on yourself!! Speech and language delays are most likely not related to parenting styles. 
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So how do you know if speech therapy is needed?

If your child has not added any words and has less than 50 words by 18 months, we would typically want to do a speech evaluation. You can get a speech referral by requesting an order from your doctor, reaching out to a private practice (i.e. Cedar Lane Speech) or by contacting your state’s resources. Help Me Grow is an example of a national resource. Parents can refer their child to Help Me Grow without a doctor’s order. If you’re on the edge or aren’t that concerned, it’s best to act early as the critical period for language development is 1-3 years of age.
 
Okay, so speech therapy for toddlers is a thing. But what is it exactly?
 
Speech therapy is performed by a speech and language pathologist. A speech language pathologist (SLP) works with all ages (birth-death) and can work on a variety of things like, speech sound articulation, language, social skills, voice, fluency/stuttering, cognition and even feeding and swallowing. Even though they are called speech therapists, they can work on more than speech! Speech therapy for toddlers typically focuses on language development.