Learning to talk is exciting. It starts right after birth. It
should be fun for your child, family and friends. But it is not
necessarily easy. The process of talking involves attending,
listening, thinking, understanding, wanting and needing to speak.
It also involves taking turns, as well as being able to coordinate
all the right muscles for speech.
Children learn to talk at different ages. Some children utter
their first intelligible word before they are one year old, while
others may not speak until they are over 2. Generally, however,
most children start to talk by 18 months.
Children need to be encouraged to talk in the same way as they are
encouraged to walk. And remember, children can understand what is
being said long before they can use the words themselves.
12 Tips to Talking
The following are some ways in which you can help your child learn
to talk. Be patient. The process is gradual and may seem slow.
Words may be unclear and your child may stumble or hesitate.
- Talk to your child when you are playing together.
- Have fun with nursery rhymes and songs, especially those with
actions.
- Encourage your child to listen to different sounds (e.g.
animals, aeroplanes, the doorbell).
- Gain your child's attention when you talk to him. Encourage him
to look at you or at the object that you are talking about.
- Encourage your child to communicate in other ways, not just
through words. Use gestures and pictures.
- Give your child choices (e.g. "Do you want an orange or a
banana?").
- Talk about things as they happen (e.g. when changing him,
watching television, unpacking the shopping).
- Listen carefully and give your child time to finish whatever he
is saying. Take turns to speak.
- Give your child opportunities to talk. Encourage your child.
Say: "Good talking" or "Good listening".
- Help your child to use more words by adding onto what he is
saying. For example: o Child: "Ball." o Adult: "Yes, throw the
ball. Good! It's a big ball."
- If your child says something incorrectly, say it back the
correct way. However, do not force your child to repeat the
word(s). For example: o Child: "Pi…" o Adult: "Yes, fish."
- Dedicate a special time with your child each day to play with
toys and read picture books together.
Remember…
- Don't expect too much too soon.
- Don't worry if he is not at exactly the same stage as your
friend's child. Talking takes time - don't hurry him.
This article is provided by KK Hospital - Singapore's leading
Women and Children's Hospital. Please visit www.kkh.com.sg for
more information