Here are some of my top tips that can assist parents when dealing with developing child speech skills.
Speak at a slowish pace with gaps
This is crucial when dealing with child speech development. Give the child time to digest what has been said and attribute proper meaning to the words. Also look at them by making good eye contact whilst you are talking to them. This means that they have your full attention and you can also pick up on additional body language from your child.
Make sure that the children are looking at your face when you are talking with them
When talking to your child, I knell down so that I’m the same height as them. Very important body language signal that you are not looking down at them!
Direct speech incorporates both verbal and physical actions. Make sure that your children are making good eye contact when speaking as this develop not just their verbal abilities but also strong physical communication skills.
Ask fewer questions
Getting a proper answer is more important than getting a few confused ones. Ask fewer questions and focus on making sure what the child is saying is structured and coherent. Give them time to respond and don’t second guess their answer for them.
Create play opportunities where an adult supports and encourages chatter
Making a lot of noise is not always a bad thing, and children must be made aware that speaking and shouting are sometimes good for their development. Encourage play that utilises speech in a way that allows every child to share words and phrases.
We have very understanding neighbours and they actually enjoy the chatter children make when playing in the patio or the garden.
Teach action words, (verbs), as well as the name of things (nouns)
Drawing comparisons between objects and acting words means children will quickly get used to separating nouns from verbs. Do this by implementing games that encourage the children to pick a card with a noun on it then pick another card with an action word on it then ask them to say aloud how the two could be used in a sentence.
This is a game that we are still developing in my setting so watch out for more news and photos about this in the coming weeks.
Use everyday opportunities to talk
It's important to create “talk opportunities” with your children during your everyday interaction with them. You can’t set aside specific time in the day to sit down for a long talk!
One of our parents talks to her daughter whilst bringing her to our setting by asking her to recognise letters and numbers on the car in front of her. A great way to learn as well as creating a conversation.
Use moments that arise in everyday life as occasions for discussion and explanation. Even watching TV with them will give great opportunities to strike up conversations.
