Where the speaker listens attentively and tailors their words and tone to suit the listener’s needs, interests, and the situation. This often involves mirroring or expanding on what the listener is saying and showing comphrehension and understanding. 

• Narrate everyday activities, like bath time, bedtime, or meals, to help your child connect words with actions.
• Use simple, clear speech when talking with your child to make communication easier to understand.
• Withhold objects or toys until your child requests them, encouraging verbal expression.
• Allow your child extra time to process and respond to what you’re asking.
• Offer choices to encourage decision-making: “Do you want the ball or the book?”
• Get on your child’s level during play, sitting down to maintain eye contact and allow them to focus on your mouth when modeling words and sounds.
• Minimize distractions during playtime—turn off your phone and give your child your full attention!
• Read to your child regularly, making it interactive. Create stories from the pictures in the book to expand vocabulary and spark imagination.
• Label everything around them—tree, car, boy, dog—to build their word bank.
• Be specific when naming items. Instead of just calling all shoes “shoes,” use words like boots, sandals, slippers, gym shoes, flip-flops, or heels to broaden their vocabulary.

We all want our children to be able to use words to communicate their needs and desires! It can be frustrating for both parents and children when a little one struggles to express themselves. From saying their first words to forming sentences, learning to use language to share thoughts and intentions is essential. Our speech therapists offer practical strategies to help both parents and children encourage language development and expand vocabulary.

Children facing multiple challenges often begin life with medical difficulties that are addressed first, while efforts are made to minimize potential future challenges caused by these conditions.

Once your child’s medical stability is ensured, it’s crucial to also consider external factors that can support their long-term development. This may include things like positioning, exposure to noise, and opportunities for social interaction, among others.

We believe in collaborating closely with your child’s other healthcare providers to create a comprehensive care plan that prioritizes their overall well-being and maximizes their future potential.

Make sure to position your child equally on their belly, back, and each side, as long as they are medically stable. This helps promote a rounded head shape while encouraging overall development.

Tummy time is crucial for sensory development, including vision, vestibular sense, hearing, and proprioception, as well as building muscle strength and endurance. During tummy time, your child will learn to explore their surroundings from a new perspective while strengthening their extensor muscles.

You can also hold your child belly-to-belly, allowing them to feel your heartbeat, smell your scent, and hear your voice. Encourage your child to lift their head and gaze at you, which helps develop the muscles in their neck, back, and arms. Tummy time looks different for every child—some may need to be held or propped on a ball or positioning pillow to accommodate their medical devices and ensure comfort.

Swaddling your child in a blanket provides soothing deep pressure and comfort, helping them develop awareness of their own body—a process known as proprioception.

As your child grows and becomes more medically stable, it’s important to continue challenging them at each new developmental stage. Focus on the question, “What can my child do?” and celebrate every small step forward with enthusiasm.

Instead of worrying about the skills your child hasn’t mastered yet, celebrate each small gain as a victory! Be your child’s biggest cheerleader. Children look to their parents for cues, so show them that striving to be their best self is always worth celebrating!

What will my child need?
You may need to consider external positioning devices to help support your child’s posture and mobility.

Your therapist will guide you in selecting the most appropriate devices to assist your child with sitting, standing, or walking. Being able to interact at eye level with peers is crucial for social and emotional development, whether that’s through the use of a special seat, stander, or gait trainer.

How will I know when to purchase equipment?
Your therapist will assist you throughout this process. The timing will depend on your child’s development, strength, and endurance.

Who pays for this equipment?
Your insurance may pay for the equipment and your therapist will help you with this process.

• Children begin learning even before they’re born—every moment is an opportunity for growth and development. Don’t underestimate the power of daily interactions; they are all teaching moments for your child.

• Minimize distractions like your phone when spending time with your child, and engage with them as much as possible. Talk to them constantly, naming everything in their environment to help them build their vocabulary.

• You’ll notice that your child’s receptive language—what they understand—will be much more advanced than their expressive language—what they can say. Use words that are appropriate for their developmental level to help them process information effectively, without making it too complex or too simple.

• Reading books to your child is a great way to teach important concepts like words, cause and effect, and the basics of questioning (Who, What, When, Where). Books are an essential tool for expanding their world.

• Be your child’s voice when they can’t express themselves yet. If your child is upset, say, “Are you sad?” If they’re smiling, say, “I see you’re happy!” Until they find their own voice, you are their voice.

Learning to communicate their wants and needs can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating experience for both you and your child. Be sure to model communication consistently—when you demonstrate how to express something, your child is more likely to pick up on the skill. Start by working with your child to use simple facial expressions, like a smile for “yes” and a frown for “no.” As they progress, encourage them to use head gestures, like nodding for “yes” or shaking their head for “no.”

Many children feel frustrated when they know what they want to say but can’t express it. Incorporating alternative forms of communication, such as sign language, picture or visual schedules, or voice-activated devices, can help reduce this frustration and support the development of verbal communication. A speech therapist will work with you to determine if a device is suitable for your child and guide you through the process of securing insurance coverage.

Milestone Moment!
These communication tools not only help your child express their wants and needs but also foster independence. It’s another exciting milestone to celebrate!