Speech-Language Pathologist and Guest Blogger Erin Ray: "Language Enhancing Strategies"

Erin. M Ray M.S., CCC-SLP

Hello all you awesome mommies, daddies, grandparents and caregivers out there! My name is Erin and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been working with special needs children for 6 years. 

Kids learn language in different ways and at different rates, but in all my years of experience, a child's environment is the most critical component to language development. Using some of these language-enhancing strategies during everyday activities can encourage your child to use and understand more language! 

Be a good model! 

If your child is using single words to communicate, model a 2-word phrase. If he is combining 2 words together, model a 3-word sentence. For example if your child says “ball” model “red ball.” 

Be a narrator! 

Describe what you are doing as you do it. “I’m washing dishes, scrub scrub scrub. All clean!” If you are playing with your child, say what you are doing using simple language such as “Put ball on top” or “Uh-oh, fall down.”

Be inquisitive! 

Help your child understand and ask questions. Play the yes-no game. Ask questions such as "Are you a boy?" "Are you Bill?" "Can a pig fly?" Encourage your child to make up questions and try to fool you. 

Be a storyteller! 

Read to your child. Sometimes "reading" is simply describing the pictures in a book without following the written words. Choose books that are sturdy and have large colorful pictures that are not too detailed. Ask your child, "What's this?" and encourage naming and pointing to familiar objects in the book by asking questions such as “Where is the duck?”

Be a kid! 

Children learn through play. Taking time to play with your child is incredibly important. This is an opportunity for you to model language while engaging in something your child enjoys. This is also great for improving joint attention skills. 

Be a cheerleader! 

Praise your child’s attempts at imitating after your model. Acknowledge, encourage, and praise all attempts to speak. Show that you understand the word or phrase by fulfilling the request. If your child grunts or gestures to a desired item, model the word you would like them to say. Make sure to pause to give your child the opportunity to repeat after your model.

IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS A PROFESSIONAL:

If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language skills, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school Speech-Language Pathologist or talk to your pediatrician. 

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