SPEECH
Ms. Radick and Mrs Samela
Taylor Street
School
Language
Language
development begins at birth. Some children develop language faster and
some more slowly than others. By five most children have mastered basic
elements of adult language.
Simplifying
Your Language
1. Use a slower rate of
speech.
Children who have difficulty learning language have frequent
difficulty understanding fast speech. Speaking slowly will make it easier for
your child to understand. Even a slight change in your rate of speech can
improve your child's understanding of language.
2.
Use shorter remarks.
A shorter message will be easier for your child to
understand. Use phrases and sentences just beyond your child's language
level. For example, a child who uses single words should be given two-word
phrases. Your phrases are models for your child to learn and imitate.
3. Use simple sentences.
Use a simple
structure. Sentences that contain a basic subject + verb + object or
adjective are the easiest. For example: Luke + drank + juice. As
your child's language develops, expand your sentences. For example: Luke
drank all the juice.
4. Use gestures when you
speak.
Using gestures helps your child understand the meaning of your
spoken message. Natural gestures include:
Facial Expressions-
happy, excited, surprised
Hand gestures- come here, give to
me
Body postures- arms out to indicate a hug
This information
was taken form "Simplify Your Language to Help Your Child Understand" by Diann
D. Grimm, M.A., C.C.C., Ed.S.
This information taken from "Speech and
Language Development" by Diane Hansen and Sherril R.
Howard.
Speech
Speech development
begins at birth with the baby's first cry. Children master sounds at
different rates. By age 8, children should be able to say all speech
sounds correctly.
Helping Your Child
Learn to Speak Clearly
Parents play a key role
in the development of their child's speech and language skills. Many
parents want to help their child but are not sure what to do. Here are
some helpful hints:
1. Expect errors.
All children make
some mistakes in articulation. In fact, children normally take seven to
eight years to learn to say all of our English sounds correctly.
2.
Model good speech.
When your child makes errors, repeat the child's
message correctly. Children learn by listening. They need to listen to
appropriate models of sound production. For example, your child might say,
"I can't pix the wid." You could repeat and model as follows: "You
can't fix the lid? Let me try to fix it?"
3.
Fight ear infections.
Good hearing is necessary for the development of
normal articulation. Ear infections can cause hearing loss. Tugging
on the ears, congestion, runny nose, or turning up the volume are signs of a
possible ear infection.
This information was taken from "Help Your Child
Learn to Speak Clearly" by Elizabeth M. Prather, Ph.D.