Top Tips and useful links
The following is some general advice on developing young children's communication skills:
Useful Links:
www.ican.org.uk A charity that helps children with speech and language difficulties
www.helpwithtalking.com Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice
www.talkingpoint.org.uk Information for parents developed by RCSLT, ICan & AFASIC
www.afasic.org.uk Association for all speech impaired children
www.rcslt.org.uk Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
www.stammering.org The British Stammering Association
www.hanen.org The Hanen Centre, Canada
www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby The National Literacy Trust
www.pearsonclinical.co.uk Pearson Clinical - Cogmed, working memory training
www.advancedbrain.com The Listening Program
The following is some general advice on developing young children's communication skills:
- Talk lots to your baby and young child
- Sing action rhymes and songs
- Give your baby/child time to respond - this may be a smile to begin with, a movement, or a word
- Offer your child choices - "Would you like apple or pear?"
- Try not to anticipate their needs
- Model how words should be pronounced by saying them slowly and clearly for your child to hear them. Emphasise the sound they missed out, without putting any pressure on them to repeat
- Reduce the amount of exposure they have to technology - this includes TV, dvds, computer/console games
- Get rid of the dummy - it is best not to get into the habit of giving your baby a dummy. However, if your baby has one, aim to get rid of it by their first birthday.
- Give a running commentary - talk about what you and your child are doing throughout the day. Try to reduce the number of questions you ask them - try to do more commenting instead
- Listen carefully to what your child has to say and value their contributions
Useful Links:
www.ican.org.uk A charity that helps children with speech and language difficulties
www.helpwithtalking.com Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice
www.talkingpoint.org.uk Information for parents developed by RCSLT, ICan & AFASIC
www.afasic.org.uk Association for all speech impaired children
www.rcslt.org.uk Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
www.stammering.org The British Stammering Association
www.hanen.org The Hanen Centre, Canada
www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby The National Literacy Trust
www.pearsonclinical.co.uk Pearson Clinical - Cogmed, working memory training
www.advancedbrain.com The Listening Program
