Parent
Tips
Dealing
With Frustration
Promoting Early
Language Development
Using Music
to Promote Language Development
Using Play to
Promote Language Development
Using
Reading to Promote Language Development
Dealing
With Frustration
The following are practical tips which can
be used when dealing with children's frustration:
- Talk to your child about anger and
frustration. Share your ways of dealing with frustration.
- Help your child recognize the situations
which are likely to cause frustration.
- Try to help your child identify
successful and not-so-successful ways of expressing frustration.
- Help your child learn control words such
as "no", "stop", "wait", "my
turn", "me too". If your child can't say these
words, find other ways to express the messages (e.g. gestures,
signs, symbols, photographs.
- Provide opportunities for your child to
play successfully with other children. Find play materials for
your child that don't require a lot of language for successful
use.
- Tell other children that your child is
trying very hard to be a friend. Stay nearby to help resolve
problems.
- Praise your child when s/he deals with
frustration successfully.
- Even though your child may be having
trouble communicating thoughts and feelings, don't hesitate to
set some rules about expressing frustration. Be sure your child
knows these rules before applying them.
Promoting
Early Language Development
Get and Maintain Your Child's Attention
- Get down to your child's physical level,
facing each other.
- Use facial expressions and an
interesting voice to show your child that what the two of you
are doing is interesting and fun.
- Tune into your child. Play and talk
about what interests him/her.
- Let your child actively participate.
Language is best learned while doing.
- Imitate the actions and sounds your
child makes.
What to Talk About
- Talk about the HERE and NOW.
- Talk about the obvious.
- Talk about what you are doing and what
you are feeling.
- Put your child's feelings into
words.Talk about what your child is doing and what he/she is
feeling.
How to Talk to Your Child
- Everything has a name. Use the name.
- Use short simple sentences.
- When you use single words, put them back
into a sentence.
- Use natural gestures when you talk.
- Tell, then show your child what you are
doing.
- Teach your child by talking and talking
and talking.
- Give your child a chance to respond.
Using
Music to Promote Language Development
Music makes learning language easy and fun.
It can be done anywhere...in the car, in the bath, at the grocery
store. Music encourages turn-taking, talking and moving, listening,
and following directions.
Choosing music:
- Any music is good, however children
usually like songs which contain children's themes.
- Borrow tapes and CDs from the public
library to see how well your child enjoys them before buying.
- Listen to music together with your child
rather than leaving him to listen on his own.
- Some community centres and libraries
have special music programs you can attend with your child.
- Singing is often better than taped music
because you can go at your child's pace, change the words,
practice taking turns and filling in words.
- Good songs are those that have a lot of
repetition (Row, row, row you boat) and actions that match the
words (put your right foot in...).
Using
Play to Promote Language Development
What is play?
Play is any activity that your child
enjoys. It does not have to be an expensive toy. Play can be
wrestling with cushions, pretending an empty box is a bed, or
sleeping out in a tent.
What does play have to do with language
development?
- Play usually involves listening and
talking about what is happening, an important activity for
language development.
- Play usually involves a lot of
repetition, which is what a child needs to learn.
- Play helps a child develop skills which
are important for communication (taking turns, using eye
contact, body language, gestures).
- Play involves using several senses (e.g.
the child hears the word "cookie" while he touches it
and tastes it).
What to do ...
- Use toys, games, or objects that your
child is interested in.
- Follow your child's lead: if he prefers
to make a sling out of a blanket, fine!
- Talk about what is happening during
play.
- HAVE FUN!
Using
Reading to Promote Language Development
Reading helps your child develop
concentration and attention, while giving a good example of correct
language. Reading is also an activity that allows you to spend time
together.
You can find many free or inexpensive books
at any of the following locations:
- public libraries
- garage sales
- "dollar" stores
- bargain sections of bookstores
- trade with neighbours
- make up your own!
What to do with the book:
- Choose a quiet time and place where you
won't be interrupted.
- Let your child choose a book so that he
will have some control over what you read.
- You don't have to read the words - talk
about the pictures, the actions, make up stories.
- Read with lots of drama and rhythm in
your voice to keep your child interested.
- Don't worry about keeping the book
looking new - a worn book means it has been enjoyed!
Facts
Facts
About Bilingualism
Facts About Ear Infections
Facts About Stuttering
Facts
About Bilingualism
Did you know that...?
- exposing a child to more than one
language will NOT cause a longstanding speech and/or language
delay
- exposing a child to more than one
language MAY mean that he will say his first words slightly
later than a child who is exposed to only one language, however
it should still be within normal limits (8 to 15 months)
- there is no evidence to show that a
child with a language delay will be further delayed as a result
of exposure to 2 languages
- it is normal for children (and even
adults) to switch back and forth between two languages within
the same sentence or paragraph
- many children go through a "silent
period" where they don't talk when they are first exposed
to a second language
- a child may lose some of his first
language if it is replaced abruptly by a second language
- learning a second language not only
means learning words and conversations, but also learning about
that language's culture
- a child's speech and language skills
should be evaluated in his first language, and preferably in all
of his languages
- a child's first language is usually the
one which he hears most often and which is used most often in
his main environment
- a Speech-Language Pathologist can get
the help of an interpreter to evaluate children's speech and
language skills in many languages
- a child's exposure to a second language
should not be limited unless specifically instructed by a
qualified Speech-Language Pathologist who has experience in
evaluating bilingual children and has seen your child
Facts
About Ear Infections
Ear infections are common among children.
Most children will have had at least one ear infection by age three.
Ear infections usually come after a cold, but it is easy to mistake
one for the other because they have many of the same symptoms,
including fever, lack of energy and loss of appetite.
Although colds usually go away on their
own, ear infections are more difficult to get rid of. This is
because they are caused by bacteria. Many doctors treat ear
infections with antibiotics. They may also recommend a pain killer
to help reduce the pain. The majority of ear infections are not
serious, but sometimes complications such as hearing loss can occur.
Ear infections and otitis media
In some children, an ear infection can cause liquid to collect
inside the ear. This liquid may stay in the ear as long as three
months, even though there are no signs of infection. This is called
"otitis media". Children with otitis media will not have a
fever or an ear ache (the usual signs of an ear infection) but their
hearing may be affected. Your child could display some of the
following symptoms:
- Pulls or scratches his ears
- Is listless
- Misunderstands directions
- Doesn't seem to pay attention to you
- Wants the TV or radio louder than usual
If you suspect that your child has either
an ear infection or otitis media, It is important to see your doctor
because these conditions can cause either temporary or permanent
hearing loss. Any degree of hearing loss can affect your child's
ability to learn speech and language.
Facts
About Stuttering
When children learn to talk, they go
through a normal "phase" in which they repeat words or
phrases. This usually happens between the ages of about 2 and 5
years. This phase can last a few days or even weeks. However, some
children have more difficulty with their speech and may in fact have
a true stuttering problem.
Did you know that...?
- about 5% of children stutter
- three to four times as many boys as
girls stutter
- stuttering runs in families
- stuttering seems to be caused by a
physical problem, not a psychological one
- stuttering may be worse when a child is
tired, sick, anxious, or excited
- many children outgrow stuttering, and
most children and adults respond well to therapy.
How can you tell if your child is going
through a normal phase or if he has a stuttering problem? The key to
distinguishing between a normal phase and a true stuttering problem
is usually to look at how often your child stutters and in what way.
Sometimes the only way to be sure that a child has a stuttering
problem is to watch what happens over time.
How can you help a child who is stuttering?
- Be a good listener. Focus on what your
child is saying rather than how she is saying it.
- Try not to fill in words for your child.
This may frustrate your child, especially if you have guessed
the wrong word.
- Avoid giving your child direct
corrections, such as "slow down" or "relax".
This may make your child feel more anxious.
- Encourage children to take turns
talking, especially if brothers and sisters are competing for
talk time.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Are you concerned about how your child
talks? Many parents have questions about how well their child is
learning to talk. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked
questions.
Can a parent tell whether a child's
speech is developing well?
You know your child best. You talk and listen to your child more
than anyone else. If you think that your child has any kind of
speech or language problem, call us to discuss
your concerns.
Do babies understand when we talk to
them?
Babies do not understand the meaning of all the words we say at
first. Babies are learning about sounds and words when we talk to
them. Talk to your baby often while you are bathing, feeding or
changing him. Your baby will learn about language and the world from
hearing you talk.
Is it common for younger children in
families not to talk?
Sometimes younger children find that they can make themselves
understood by making gestures and noises instead of words. Or, older
children may speak for the younger ones. Parents should make sure
that younger children are encouraged to talk just as much as the
older ones.
Can a smart child have a speech problem?
Yes. Any child can have a speech or language problem. It does not
mean that the child is less intelligent.
Will my child grow out of a speech or
language problem?
Some children do grow out of speech or language problems. It is best
not to wait and see. The sooner a problem is discovered, the sooner
we can begin to do something to help.
Should I worry if my child stutters?
Children often repeat words or phrases when they learn to talk. This
is normal for most children between 2 and 5 years old. Your child
may do this for a few days or more. However, if you are worried
about whether your child stutters, call us to discuss your concerns.
Should I wait until my child starts
school to get help for her speech problem?
No. If you think your child may have a problem, call right away. It
is better to treat a speech or language problem early. Your child
will have more time to develop the skills needed at school.
Second
Language Acquisition:
If
we speak more than one language at home, will it cause our child to
have a speech or language problem?
No. A child usually says his or her first words around the same age,
no matter how many languages are spoken in the house. If you think
your child is not talking in any language, call us to discuss your
concerns.
My
child speaks Spanish,
our first language,
very
well and is starting English
kindergarten soon.
Should I start speaking
to him in English at home?
No, you should continue to speak to your child in the language you
speak best. This will help your child learn English at school and
keep his first language.
How
should we talk to our child? Should
we use one language or two languages?
Parents should communicate with their child in a way that feels
natural to them. They
should talk with their child in a language that they can use over a
long period of time. Children
learn language best from people who are fluent in that language and
who speak the language well. This
might mean speaking a first language at home because it is spoken
best.
Does
research support the use of first language at home?
Many studies support the use of first language at home. Research
shows that encouraging first language use at home promotes the
development of strong language skills in the first language.
When a child has a good understanding of his/her first
language, these strong language skills help him/her to learn a
second language. Studies
have also shown that children with strong language skills do better
in school.
My
child has an identified speech delay. We speak two languages at
home. Will this make the delay worse?
So far, there is no conclusive evidence that children with language
delays will be further delayed as a result of exposure to two
languages. Therefore,
we should support parents who choose to raise their child with the
richness of two languages and cultures.
Parents can follow the same tips outlined for promoting
bilingualism at home.
We
speak two languages to our child at home.
My husband speaks one and I speak the other.
My child is 2 ½
years
old and can only say a
few words. Should we be
concerned?
Children who are learning more than one language at the same time
may say their first words slightly later than children who are only
learning one. However,
they should speak their first words within the expected age range of
8 to 15 months. By 2
years of age, children should speak about 100 words and be using 2
to 4 word sentences. Parents who are concerned about their
child’s speech and language development should call us to discuss
your concerns.
I
have been speaking English to my child since birth.
I would like him to learn my first language, but he is
already 4-years-old. If
I start using my first language now, will he be bilingual?
If parents have been talking to their child in another language
since birth, it may be hard for everyone to suddenly switch to the
parents' first language. The
relationship between parent and child may suffer from a sudden
change to the use of the parents' first language that the child does
not understand. However,
parents can still introduce their first language using a consistent
pattern such as "one
time of the day - one language".
For example, a parent may speak his/her first language during
supper or bath time. During
this routine, the parent would use gestures, objects and contextual
cues to help the child's understanding and use of words.
In this situation, the child may develop an understanding of
the language, but may not be able to speak it fluently.
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