Suggestions for Delayed Speech and Language

One of the activities suitable for children with delayed language and speech is to read together books that attract the child's attention, with plenty of pictures, chosen according to the child's age. Parents can read picture books with their children who have delayed language and speech, taking into account the suggestions below.

1. Choose age-appropriate books: Choose books with colorful pictures and simple text that are appropriate for the child's developmental level. Board books or books with sturdy pages are generally best for young children.

2. Create a comfortable environment: Find a comfortable, quiet space to read together. Minimize distractions and make sure the child can see the pictures clearly.

3. Engage the child:  Ask about the pictures, encourage the child to participate in the reading experience by asking easy questions such as: “What do you see?” Avoid questions that require long and difficult answers. Instead of keeping your speech monotonous, use intonations and emphasis.

4. Use descriptive language: Describe the images in the book using simple, understandable language. Point to objects and characters in the pictures when talking about them.

5. Encourage interaction: Encourage the child to touch and explore the book, turning pages and pointing at different pictures. You can also include actions or sound effects to make the story more interesting. Imitating the sound of transportation vehicles or animals attracts the child's attention and ensures his/her participation in imitating the same sound.

6. Repeat and reinforce: Re-read favorite books often to help strengthen your language skills and familiarity with the story. Repetition can also provide opportunities for the child to practice new words and concepts. Be lively and realistic during repetitions rather than boring.

7. Follow the child's interest: During reading, pay attention to where the child's interest drifts and his reactions. If they seem particularly preoccupied with a particular page or image, spend more time exploring that section of the book together. Do not hinder the child's pace of speech and communication.

8. Be patient and supportive: Remember that language development takes time and it is okay for progress to be gradual. Offer plenty of encouraging praise and encouragement for the child's efforts, regardless of their verbal responses. The most important point you should avoid at this time is to force the child to talk. Don't put pressure on him to talk verbally or with your body language, otherwise you're likely to hurt rather than help.

By incorporating these strategies into reading time with their children, parents can help support their language development in a fun and engaging way.

Another option of the best ways to support the language and speech development of children who have delayed language and speech problems is to play simple and meaningful games with the child. 1- Following the child's interest in the game with the toys that the child is interested in, 2- playing games by using simple, short language structures and speaking slowly without rushing during the game contributes greatly to language and speech development. In general, children with delayed language and speech may also have difficulty playing games. The development of game skills improves language and speech development, and language and speech development improves game skills.

1. Choose simple games: Choose games that are easy to understand and do not require complex verbal instructions. Games such as Lego and similar toys, simple puzzles, matching games or simple board games with pictures can be great options.

2. Focus on nonverbal communication: Use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate during games. Show how to play the game and encourage your child to imitate your movements.

3. Modify the rules as needed: Adapt the rules of the game to the child's abilities and interests. Simplify the instructions or game as necessary to make it more accessible to them. Remember that adapting the rules to the child's developmental level and needs does not mean eliminating the rules.

4. Encourage turn-taking: Teach the child the concept of taking turns during play. Use visual cues such as a timer or stickers to indicate that it is their turn and it is time to wait.

5. Provide praise and encouragement: Offer plenty of praise and positive reinforcement for the child's efforts and participation, regardless of verbal abilities. Appreciate small achievements during the game realistically, without exaggeration.

6. Be fun and engaging: Focus on the joy of playing together rather than the outcome of the game. Use games as opportunities to bond with the child and create positive experiences together. Yes, gaming should have a purpose and result, but remember that the results and outcomes depend on the quality of the process. Be process-oriented, not product-oriented, and if you manage the process well, you will get good results.

7. Be patient and flexible: Understand that it may take time for the child to learn to play and participate fully. Be patient and supportive, and be willing to adapt your approach as needed. It may take some time for the child to understand how to play the game, his/her own role and purpose.

8. Use simple language: Most importantly, do not forget to speak in short and simple sentences appropriate to the child's language and speech level.

By keeping games simple, focusing on nonverbal communication, and providing plenty of stimulation, parents can create meaningful and fun experiences for their children, even if speech and language development is delayed.

When playing with a child who has a delay in speech and language development, it is important to consider the level of language use and adapt accordingly. Following the suggestions below while playing games with children will functionalize and activate the game.

1. Use simple and clear language: Keep your instructions and communication simple and easy to understand. Use short sentences and clear language to explain the rules of the game or give instructions.

2. Modeling and Model language: Use the opportunity to use model language to the child during play by explaining your actions, naming objects or characters in the game, and offering simple explanations. Speaking at a slow pace and with simple language structures, as if you were talking to yourself or thinking out loud, during games and reading books would be a great model and exemplary language use. Additionally, talking to yourself in this way or thinking out loud will prevent the child from feeling the pressure to speak. Don't feel like you have to talk all the time while modeling and providing exemplary language. Allow for silence and give the child a chance to talk during the silence.

3. Encourage participation: Encourage the child to communicate in any way possible, through gestures, sounds, individual words, or nonverbal cues. Create a supportive environment where the child can express himself comfortably. Instead of creating pressure by saying “Say it too,” your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice can include him/her in communication in a supportive way.

4. Repeat and reinforce: Repeat key words and phrases during play to help strengthen language skills. Provide positive reinforcement and praise for any communication attempts, even non-verbal. Don't look at repetition as "we've already done that". Meaningful repetition in context, including for adults, contributes to learning. Also create interaction routines with repetition. While these routines provide opportunities for repetition, the child acts confidently, knowing what to do because he is familiar with the routines.

5. Use visual aids: Use visual aids such as pictures, symbols, or simple diagrams to support the child's receptive language skills, language comprehension, and communication during games. Visual cues can help reinforce language concepts and make play more accessible to the child.

6. Be patient and attentive: Be patient and attentive to the child's attempts at communication and do not rush their responses. Give them plenty of time to process the information and respond in their own way.

7. Adjust expectations: Be realistic about the child's current level of language development and adjust your expectations accordingly. Celebrate progress and small successes and focus on the child's efforts rather than limitations and failures. Unrealistic high or low expectations tire both parents and children and hinder development.

Parents can help make games fun and accessible for children with speech and language development delays by using simple, understandable language, encouraging participation, and providing support through visual aids and repetition.

Incorporating language-rich activities and interactions into daily routines also provides opportunities to support language and speech development at any time of the day. You can support your child's language and speech development by involving your child in simple daily tasks such as cleaning the house and preparing meals, and with correct interaction and use of language. To do this, create awareness in this sense and try to look at daily life from this perspective. Here are some strategies:

1. Describe daily activities: Describe what you do as you go about daily routines, such as meal time, bath time, or getting dressed. Use simple language to talk about the steps involved and the objects you use.

2. Participate in conversations: Spend time throughout the day to chat with the child, even if their responses are limited. Ask open- or closed-ended questions, adapting your use of language to the child's language and speech level, listen carefully to their answers, and encourage them to communicate in any way possible. In case of missing or incorrect language use, simply say back what the child wants to say, that is, mirror the sentence.

3. Read together: Make time for shared reading every day. Choose age-appropriate books with colorful pictures and interesting stories. Encourage the child to participate by showing pictures, making predictions, or retelling the story in his or her own words.

4. Sing songs and nursery rhymes: Singing songs and nursery rhymes are great ways to support language development. Choose simple songs with repetitive lyrics and encourage the child to sing along or participate with gestures.

5. Expand language: When the child says a word or makes a sound, expand by adding more words or explaining what they mean. For example, if they point to a ball and say "ball," you can expand the child's verbal output by saying, "Yes, that's a red ball."

6. Provide play opportunities: Play is a natural way for children to learn and develop language skills. Provide toys and activities that encourage role play, creative storytelling, and interaction with others.

7. Limit screen time: Minimize the time the child spends in front of screens such as TV, smartphone or tablet. Instead, focus on activities that encourage active participation and interaction with others.

8. Seek professional support if necessary: If you have concerns about the child's speech and language development, do not hesitate to consult a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can make a big difference in supporting a child's progress.

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, parents can create a language-rich environment that supports a child's speech and language development in a natural and nurturing way.