The great news is that it is very easy to improve your child’s speech development at home! By using these ten skill-builders in your daily routine, you can see your child’s speech and language skills grow quickly. These are great activities both for children seeing a speech-language pathologist and for those children not receiving any kind of therapy. Just try adding one or two into your day-to-day activities one week and then adding another one the week after and watch your child blossom!
- Read Aloud with Your Child. Choose books that match your child’s interests. As you read, invite your child to engage with the story by asking questions about what is happening or could happen next. Utilize different types of books, like fairy tales, picture books or factual books about animals, nature, sports, travel or other topics that might interest them.
- Sing Songs or Repeat Nursery Rhymes. The repetitive nature of songs and nursery rhymes makes it easy for children to learn words and rhythm. Encourage the child to join in singing or rhyming. CDs or streaming services can provide songs you can learn or sing along to.
- Play Pretend. Use dolls, stuffed animals or action figures to create stories and action. Ask your child to provide some of the storyline, if they are ready, and add new vocabulary into the action.
- Involve Your Child in Everyday Activities. If you are cooking, explain the steps you are taking. If you are cleaning, explain the tools you use (broom, dust cloth, sponge) and how they make things clean. Add new vocabulary as you do so. Ask your child questions as you work and if practical, let them help.
- Encourage Your Child to Tell You What They Want. This means prompting them to make choices, such as “Do you want juice or water?”
- Play with Toys That Encourage Interaction. Simple, inexpensive toys like dolls, cars, trucks, blocks and stuffed animals can provide plenty of material for conversation. Ask your child what they want to build with blocks or what the puppy will say to the kitten when they meet.
- Expand on What Your Child Says. This activity can improve your child’s self-expression in low-stress, effortless way. It can also help your child expand their use of language without direct correction. If the child says, “Dog,” you could respond with, “Yes, a big, black, friendly dog.” If they say, “I eated,” you could say, “Yes, you ate lunch. I ate lunch, too.”
- Create a Scavenger Hunt in the House. This can be great fun with more than one child. Provide simple directions to the child to find objects they are familiar with, like a blue blanket, a stuffed dog, or something yellow. This encourages the child to follow directions. Provide a prize when the game is done, which could just be a trip to the park or a fruit treat the child likes.
- Use Picture Cards or Flashcards to Encourage Communication. Tell the child the name of each object (truck, keys, pencil, mirror, etc.) and ask how that object is used. With farm animal flashcards, make animal sounds and encourage the child to imitate the sound.
- Play Games That Encourage Action. Games like Simon Says help improve comprehension and the ability to follow directions. A few rounds of a game like this could be added whenever there is a little free time.
Tips for Keeping Your Child Engaged in Each Activity
Following a few key tips can prevent these activities from seeming like a chore that your child would rather avoid!
- Always keep these activities light and fun!
- Choose times when your child is well-rested and well-fed.
- Incorporate some of these activities into the daily routine, such as bath time, walking through the grocery store or taking a walk in the park.
- Never pressure the child into participating. If they aren’t in the mood, try later.
With a lighthearted, creative approach, you can create engagement between your child and you and improve your bond while also expanding language skills!
Need Help? Staff at Let’s Communicate Are Here for You
Are you having any difficulty getting your child to engage? The staff at Let’s Communicate pediatric therapy services can help. If you are concerned about your child’s development or engagement, talk to us. We can provide a fast assessment to show any areas where speech or language therapy can help. Call Let’s Communicate at (678) 963-0694 to schedule an evaluation today.
