Speech and language develops gradually in children. It develops through their interaction with people around them. The process is a natural one so it is important to be natural as well. The following are some ideas that can be incorporated into your routine that will help with your child’s speech development.

The following are guidelines for the emotional developmental stages of children:

• Playtime is important - ten to fifteen minutes a day playing with your child without TV or background noise makes it easier to pay attention to speech. That does not mean that TV for short periods is not beneficial. Decide what TV programmes are the best for your child at each stage of development.
• Play lots of listening games, songs, nursery rhymes, action games e.g. 'I'm a little teapot' and fill in the words if your child is unable to remember the whole rhyme.
• Look at books together and for younger children follow your child's lead in choosing the pages and engaging them in naming by pointing at things together.
• Reading a book several times to them and practicing rhymes will give repetition of the same words and situations and this helps the child to practice the words and gain understanding of the experiences they have.
• Encourage all attempts to communicate, ignoring speech difficulties.
• Never correct your child if he/she does not speak clearly.
  Instead provide a good model by speaking clearly yourself and repeating the words said clearly e.g.
  - Child: 'tat'
  - Parent: 'Oh yes the cat'
• Get down to their level so that they can watch your face when talking.
• If you do not understand what your child is saying it is best to not pretend you understand but to encourage them to say it in another way or to show you.
• It is important not to compare your child with other siblings or friends because children's speech develops at different rates.

Frances Byatt-Smith RN RHV BA Psychology

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