The time when children begin to display an understanding of language and start talking varies from child to child. Typically most children begin to speak one or two words by the age of twelve months, and by the time they reach the age of 2, they have a limited vocabulary of about 20 to 30 words. At the same time, a few children start talking even before their first birthday! Hence this makes it clear that there’s no fixed age when a child should begin speaking clearly. While some children are early talkers, others take time, which should not be considered a problem. In case your child shows speech delay signs, here are a few efficient methods suggested by experts for child speech therapy and making children talk beautifully. Child speech therapy done using the right ingredients, including the following, can work wonders:
- Talk, talk, and talk
Speech experts opine that you must speak to children as much as possible. Two-way communication using baby talk, gestures, actions, and words becomes vital. Give the child some time to understand the terms, pause after questions giving them a chance to reply.
- Use of short, simple words
This secret tip is called KISS (Keep It Short and Simple). Select a few words that are easy to speak and understand. Repeat these words very often, and soon, the child will learn to use them in daily interaction.
- Pay attention to the words that the child understands and reacts to.
Speech therapists first begin with a few words that a child reacts to says Chiang Rai Times. Small, simple words like up, down, sit, stand, hot, and cold are used repeatedly in everyday conversations until the child begins to understand and repeat them.
- Telling stories
Stories are an efficient tool to make children talk sooner. According to many experienced language and speech experts, children remember words better when they have specific memories attached to them. Using actions and gestures during narration also helps in better comprehension skills.
- Minimal screen time
Mobile phones and TV distract children and significantly hamper hearing and undertaking skills. Speech therapy experts ensure that children pay attention to mouth movements and observe others talk. Children learn what they see. Keeping them away from mobile phones and TV and in the presence of real people is the most effective remedy.
- Point out objects and name them
To help the child develop a quick understanding of words, take them out in nature, point out objects and repeat their name. Once the child begins to recognize these things, they will surely start imitating them when they hear you name these objects.
- Never criticize
Nobody is perfect, and it isn’t genius to expect children to be perfect. Children often make language and speech mistakes, and criticism makes them feel let down. It is important to correct them but never criticize or mock them.
- Sign language
To ensure that children don’t give up on frustration because they cannot speak correctly, it is necessary to teach them a few gestures and signs so they can explain themselves. Babies often begin talking by adapting this way, and after that, gradual change in speech and word pronunciation gets noticed.
Children’s intellectual curiosity gets stimulated when child speech therapy gets blended with imaginative and engaging experiences. A speech therapy expert recognizes the potential of each child and knows how to make the best use of it. For speech language therapy click here.