GUIDELINES
FOR PARENTS
Follow these simple guidelines: To
improve your child’s communication skills
Turn off TV / reduce
other screen play gadgets
Watching TV or other electronic
gadgets is a passive activity. Yours child will not develop communication by
watching TV / CD/DVD and other screen play gadgets. The best thing you can do,
five to ten minutes of interaction with an interested adult who is giving
him/her their undivided attention. Watch TV/ other screen play with your child
and make it more interactive and fun.
Attention and
concentration
Get your child’s attention and
concentration whenever you talk to him. Call by his/her name and encourage him
to respond whenever he/she hears his/her name. Occasionally you should change
your tone and vary your faces, makes the child interest to listen.
Play with your child
with sounds
Make different sounds like
animals, birds and vehicles. Parents should explain with picture/object/ real
and also make sounds and asked the child to copy it. Along with you should use
gestures of animals and make faces.
Imitation
At first you make your child’s
attention and asked the child to imitate like body parts, actions and so on.
For example, in front of the mirror parent take the comb and make comb your
hair, asked the child to imitate his/ her parent.
Talk to your child with
pleasant face
Speak slowly to your child. Talk
about what you do and child do (like a cricket/ football commentary). Use
variety of words and have a melody in speech. Use lot of 2-3 word phrases. Keep
the sentences short so your child can understand in better way.
Sing rhymes
Sing simple and receptive songs
to your child. It is better if those have motions and gestures. Makes the child
fully participate in that and tickle your child.
Use variety of toys
according to age
Developmentally appropriate toys
have incredible values on child’s development. Use different types play items
like building blocks, kitchen set, rings set, animals set, picture cards, stacking
blocks, arranging puzzles and so on. Do different types of pretend play
and talk and parallel talk.
Story-telling and use
gestures
Use colorful books with clear
pictures, talk about what is happening in pictures. Use lots of repetitive language.
For example, ‘the fox jumped, jumped, jumped and jumped, but could not reach
the grapes. Ask simple questions regarding the story. Use hands movements,
facial expressions and gestures.
Follow your child’s
play and lead
Get involved in your child’s
play. Don’t force him to play what you want. When children are interested on
what they play, they learn better and use appropriate vocabulary.
Floor play / Floor
time with your child
Parents should initiate to play
on the floor, asks the child to sit and do such activities. During this time
parents must ask questions related to playing things and also give prompt to
the child for the response. Group play will develop initiation, interaction
skills, turn-taking skills and sharing habits. For example, father, mother and
child sit on the floor; play the game such as passing the ball.
Repeats many time
when it necessary
Repeats phrases in different
contexts, use repetitive word and imitate actions, when you play. For example,
wash, wash, and wash your hand with gestures.
Gestures
Introduce gestures along with
words. That will support him in acquiring speech and language skills.
Greetings and Interactions
Makes your child to greet people
and maintain interactions. For example, say hello and shake hand, Bye, ta-ta,
See you soon, take care, and touch (hi-five), ask simple questions like, how
are you? , so on.
Give chance in
different context
Makes your child request things
he wants. Do not give or allow him to take things without requesting. Your home
environment needs little modification to encourage his/her communication. For
example, keep his/her favorite cookie jar out of reach. So he/she will need to
request for cookie when he/she needs. Accept gestural request at the beginning
and promote verbal requests later.
Interpret
Interpret what your child is
trying to communicate gutturally. Provide him with appropriate words and
phrases with minimum speed. Make him repeat those words and phrases if
possible.
Reward and Reinforcement
Your child needs appreciation
when he/ she speak a new word or doing something new. Clap your hands; hug the
child, give kiss, well and so on, to encourage positive behaviors.
KUNNAMPALLIL GEJO JOHN,MASLP
AUDIOLOGIST AND SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
FURTHER INFORMATION: CONSULT NEAREST SPEECH & HEARING CENTER
Any doubt: kunnampallilgejo@gmail.com
