The podcast is back!  After a much needed break to take care of my beautiful new baby boy, I am back and ready to get this podcast rolling again!  This episode will give you 7 easy things you can do today to help your child’s speech and language skills.  These are easy enough for you to do them today and effective enough for you to see some results.  Try these seven easy steps today and maybe tomorrow you’ll have the confidence to take on something a little more complex!

Show Notes: 7 Easy Things You Can Do Today

News/Updates:

Get excited for a new interview format to be used on this podcast!  I’m working on getting some great guest speakers on the podcast.  Is there anyone you would like to hear from?  Let me know if there’s someone you’d like to hear from so I can leverage the power of having an established podcast to get you closer to the experts in the field.  Tweet me on twitter @speechlangkids to let me know who you would like to hear from!

Feature Content:

And now, my 7 quick tips for improving speech and language skills.  For elaboration on any of these points, listen to the podcast by clicking the player above or by listening on iTunes!

1. Turn off Screens
  • American Academy of Pediatrics: no screen time for less than 2-year-olds, less than 2 hours per day after that
  • Average american child gets 7 hours of screen time per day
  • Studies linking more screen time with higher incidents of language delays
  • Time spent on screens takes away from time spent doing activities that children need to develop properly:
    • Playing-fine motor
    • Using their imaginations
    • Interacting with people
    • Having conversations
    • Reading
    • Playing outside -gross motor
    • Learning how to behave in public places
    • Learning how to be patient
2. Read to your child
  • Best way to improve speech and language skills
  • Set aside 10 minutes per day that are just for reading, keep it sacred
  • Point out written words as you read
  • Ask child questions about the pictures and the text
  • Try holding the book upside down and see if your child can correct it
  • Find books about your child’s interests
  • For older kids, take turns reading paragraphs so the child has a chance to read too
3. Review past events with your child
  • After doing something cool, ask your child questions about what happened (Ask Specific Questions)
  • Talk about your child’s favorite parts
  • What parts did your child not like?
  • What would your child improve if he could do it again
  • Try to put pieces of the event in order, sequencing
4. Go on a walk and talk about what you see
  • Let your child take the lead and talk about whatever he’s interested in
  • For young children,
    • label what things are called and label actions you see people doing
  • For older children,
    • play I spy with adjectives
    • Ask your child questions about what he sees
5. Research a topic that interests your child
  • Go to the library or use a computer to research info about something your child enjoys
  • For Younger Kids
    • Look at pictures, find nonfiction books on the topic, find general information
  • For Older Kids
    • Write down interesting facts about the topic
    • Find books with in-depth information
    • Find someone who knows about that topic and go meet them
    • Tell others about what he learned about the topic
6. Have a distraction-free Family meal together
  • When you turn off the distractions, there’s more time to talk
  • Have everyone take a turn talking about a topic, if your child struggles, have him go last.  examples:
    • Favorite part of the day
    • A challenge you overcame
    • Something you learned
    • Some place you want to travel to someday
    • A profession or hobby that you would like to learn more about
  • For younger kids, make the activity easier, for example, everyone could name one food when it’s their turn  or say their favorite color
7. Have a conversation with your child about whatever he wants to talk about
  • Sit down with your child, no distractions, and ask what’s on his mind, ask what he wants to talk about
  • Let your child talk and then expand on anything he says
  • Listen intently
  • Don’t correct your child, just add to what he says
  • Demonstrate good conversational skills like eye contact, body language, turn-taking, etc.

Don’t Go Away Empty Handed!

I am looking to gain some honest reviews on iTunes so that more people will discover the podcast.  If you’re willing to leave me a review, I’m willing to give you a free e-book!  Just head over to www.speechandlanguagekids.com/youtubeoffer.  Thanks so much for reading/listening and have a fantastic day!

More Resources for Speech-Language Pathologists:

Looking for more therapy ideas and resources to help you provide the BEST services to your clients?  Join us in The SLP Solution, our membership program for speech-language professionals!  Inside the membership, you’ll find:

  • Step-By-Step Guides for teaching a variety of speech/language/communication skills
  • Pre-Made Worksheets and Therapy Activities for hundreds of different topics
  • Training Videos for dealing with difficult disorders or problems
  • Answers to Your Questions in our exclusive SLP community
  • Tools and Resources to help you with your paperwork and admin tasks
  • Continuing Education through our monthly webinars and webinar recordings

To join us in the full SLP Solution, or to snag a free membership, click on the button below!

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