Activities to Encourage Speech Development
Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009
by Stephany Springer
Moms worry. It is true and I am here to say that it is perfectly normal and can be a great thing! Your right! I am saying this as a mom!
As a teacher, it is heart breaking to watch a child struggle with a speech delay. Often times it leads to frustration and eventually acting out. As a mom, when this happened to my own child, I felt helpless.
From birth to two years
Brain connections are at their peek during this time period in a babies' life. Often times, parents assume that communication with babies is the time it is the least important. It is actually the most important time. Educators say this is the most important time to read books to a child. Pick books with large colorful pictures that are not too detailed and engage your child with questions. You do not have to read word from word, just describe the pictures. Other important activities at this age are as follows.
Encourage your baby to make vowel-consonant sounds such as ma, da, and ba.
Imitate your baby's laughter and facial expressions
Teach your baby to imitate you: clap hands, blow kisses, wave good bye, play pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo or even sing the song itsy-bitsy-spider with hand motions.
Talk about what you are doing, where you are going, who and what you will see.
Point out colors.
Count items. We always would count the stairs as we climbed them.
Introduce animal sounds. "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" is a great book to help with this. The first time my son smiled was when we were reading this book. Get into the sounds.
From two to four years
Repeat what your child says and then expand on it. For instance, "Want juice? I have juice? I have grape juice? Do you want grape juice?" Make sure you use inflection and tone.
Start to phase out baby talk.
Play the yes-no game. Ask your child questions such as, "Are you a girl?" Are you three? Let them make up their own questions. My four year old plays 20 questions with us in the car.
Sing simple songs and recite nursery rhymes.
Name body parts and what they are used for.
Check out books at the local library and attend the local storytime.
Offer your child opportunities for conversation with the use of photographs or favorite toys.
Limit television to only educational programs.
From four to six years
By now, your child should be talking continuously. When your child talks, try to give him/her your full attention.
Work on direction giving and direction taking. Allow your child to tell you what to do and you do the same telling him/her to follow some simple directions.
Introduce a new word every day for use. It does not have to be complex. Just use vehicle instead of car or Restroom instead of bathroom, etc.
Work on explaining categories, relationships, chores, etc.
Pretend play with your child such as playing house, building an animal out of blocks, being princesses, etc.
These are just a few activities. Get creative and get to know your child better in the process. Plan play dates with other kids. Just spend time talking with your child and playing together. You will be amazed at how fast their speech accelerates.
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