Tips for Talking

Tips for Talking (2MB)

All children learn to talk at different rates. The way you use language can help your child to communicate. Try the ideas below: during play, in everyday activities, outside and when looking at books together:

Simple Language

Use simple language to talk about what you are doing. We know this helps children to listen and tune in to words.

For example, “Brmm Brmm. Car. Drive the car”

“Mummy’s eating. Mummy’s eating cake. Yummy”

Comments, not questions

Try to avoid asking lots of questions – instead, comment on what is happening or what you can see. We know this helps children to hear words they can repeat when they are ready.

For example: instead of asking “What’s that?”

SAY “It’s a cow”

instead of asking “Are you jumping?”

SAY “You’re jumping”

Repeat what you say

Children need to hear words many times before they start to use them.
Repeat words over and over again when playing.

Many songs have words repeated over and over – enjoy singing together.

Interpret

When your child tells you something by pointing, you interpret their message by saying the word they could use: you can probably guess what they are trying to tell you, so say the word they would use if they could.

For example, your child points to the door, you say “out” or “door”.

Don’t make your child say words, e.g., don’t tell them “say ‘car’”
Just pause and give your child time to copy if they want to.

Build on what they say

Add one or two words to what your child says.
For example,

Child says: “door”, you say “open door”

Child says “eat”; you say “daddy’s eating”

Say words clearly

Words may not be clear at this stage.

Do not correct your child if they are saying the right word but pronouncing it incorrectly, just repeat the word back clearly.

For example, child says “tat”, you say “yes, a cat”.

Let’s make it easy to talk

Keep dummies for sleep time only, so your child can develop clear speech.

Encourage any ways of communicating; pointing, gestures and sounds are all ways of sending messages.

Most importantly, have fun when playing with your child and using these strategies. That is when they learn the most.

WellComm

If your child’s setting use WellComm they will have ideas they can share. They may have completed screening with some pictures and observations to see where your child is at now. They may have strategies and activities from the ‘Big Book of Ideas’ they are using that they can share with you to try at home too.

For further information and ideas, you can visit:
Speech and Language UK: Information and support

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people

Speech and language therapy – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust
(click this link or type into search engine)

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

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