Speech and Language Top Tips

Talking Tips

When you talk to your child during everyday activities it really helps them to learn
e.g. bath time, mealtimes, nappy change.

Don’t put any pressure on your child to talk - they will learn by watching, listening and playing to start with.

For more information contact The Speech & Language Therapists:

You can see what your child is interested in.

You can both hear, see different facial expressions and watch mouths move.

Eye contact helps you to connect and feel closer to your child.

Your child is more likely to learn if you talk about what they are interested in.

It can reduce frustration and your child will play with you for longer.

Shows you are interested.

You’re not bombarding them with too many words.

You make it easier for your child to understand.

They can hear the sounds in words clearly.

Unlike asking questions, commenting doesn’t put your child under pressure to talk.

You give your child language as they are experiencing it.

Talk about what things are, what they do, how they feel and smell etc.

Choices help your child learn new words ‘would you like a banana or apple’?

Wait a few seconds for your child to respond, sometimes children need time to think.

You don’t take over and control the conversation.

You give your child time to talk, and to express their interests and feelings

Practice makes perfect.

The more your child hears a word, the more likely they are to understand, then use it.

This allows your child to use more words.

Add to words that they can already say.

If they say ‘bike’ you could say ‘red bike’, ‘big bike’ or ‘fast bike.’