Language & Literacy: Nurturing Your Child’s Speech

• Providing constant exposure to spoken language
  • This can start as early as in the womb but is important as soon as baby is born – narrating life can be a good way to start
  • Even just viewing verbal interactions is helpful
• Describe what you see, feel, and experience

“What you put in is what you’re going to get out.”

[00:04:11] Importance of reading to children

“If I had to give like one answer, one word answer to the question, how can I help my child with language? It would be read.”

• Reading is another critical element of a language-rich environment
• Introduces children to new vocabulary but also exposes them to different sentence structures and contexts
• Can transport children to different places and experiences, expanding their understanding of the world
• The way parents read to their children is just as important as the act of reading itself:
  • Engage with pictures
  • Discuss colors
  • Ask open-ended questions about the story; this can enhance comprehension and encourage children to think critically about what they are hearing

• This interactive approach to reading helps children connect words with meanings and fosters a love for literature

“It’s like a launchpad, right? It’s not the end-all be-all of the book. It’s a launchpad for learning.”

“We play with purpose, you know, there’s always a rhyme and reason, no pun intended to what we’re doing in therapy.”

[00:12:56] Signs of speech development issues

• Parents should be vigilant about their child’s speech and language milestones. By age two, children should be using words consistently, and by age three, their vocabulary should expand significantly
• They advise against the “wait and see” approach often suggested by pediatricians, as this can lead to missed opportunities for support during critical developmental periods

“What exactly are we waiting to see? You know, we don’t want to miss what we call the critical language period where children just kind of explode with language.”

• Early intervention is highly important!

  • Waiting for a child to “catch up” on their own can lead to missed opportunities for support during critical developmental periods

“When in doubt, check it out.”

• By the age of two, children should begin using words consistently – even if not many

• By three, their vocabulary should expand significantly

[00:24:17] Early literacy skills development

“If there was one takeaway for parents that I could give, it would be to start early.”

“It’s interesting how that brain development is happening all the time.”

[00:29:03] Learning language through play

• Interactive activities are key – playful and hands-on experiences
• Many everyday items can be used for engaging language play
  • Cups, yarn, paper towel rolls, etc.
• Pretending as well as naming parts of items is a way to add lots of language into play – asking questions and giving time for pause is important

“my number one parenting advice to all parents is if a toddler or a little kid’s cranky, put them in water.”

• All of these practices help teach children to express themselves, have conversations, and learn to ask

“I feel like the best learning happens in the mess, in the chaos at times to an extent.”

[00:39:33] Myths about speech delays

• Being a boy does not make you a late talker
• Being bilingual does not cause language delays
• Speech does not happen “overnight”

“Don’t discount your little boys, you know, don’t let them slide because they’re boys.”

“I am for the signs for the early signs, just to give that child a way to express themselves and lessen their frustration.”

[00:44:21] Trusting parental instincts in evaluations

“I’ve never had a parent once regret starting to learn how to help their child speak earlier. But I have had countless parents come to me regretting that they started too late.”

[00:49:02] Importance of parental involvement

• Parents need to be intentional in how they interact with their children and interactions
• By fostering a language-rich environment, parents can help their children build a strong foundation for effective communication and lifelong learning

“The children that progress towards meeting their goals the fastest are the ones who have parents that are involved, who know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

Where to Find Shavon 

• Website – ListenLearnTalk.com
• Instagram – @ListenLearnTalk
• Facebook – Listen Learn Talk
• LinkedIn – Shavon St Germain
• Email – info@listenlearntalk.com

Where to Find Tala

• Website – HersheySpeechCoach.com
• Instagram – @HersheySpeechCoach
• Facebook – Hershey Speech Coach
• Email – tala@hersheyspeechcoach.com

Tiny Talkers Toolkit: Helping Parents Improve Their Toddler’s Language