Hearing a child speak their first words is a monumental moment for caregivers, signifying the child's entrance into the world as they begin their communication journey. This journey looks different for each child and family, which is why at the California Scottish Rite Foundation, our mission of “giving the future a voice” works to make that journey more successful by providing families with vital support and funding for speech and language therapies free of charge to families.
As children learn from the world around them, their curiosity is often directed toward their caregivers and peers. For caregivers, this can be intimidating, as they might feel apprehensive about their ability to model behavior, speech, and overall development.
Understanding that children learn most from modeled behavior is the first step in your collective communication journey. From facial expressions to tone of voice, being aware of these fundamental areas of both verbal and non-verbal language is crucial as you foster a child’s development, giving them a brighter future and you the confidence to facilitate their growth and spirit. In this article, we will explore “how to talk to children who are learning to talk,” focusing on the role of behavior modeling, positive reinforcement, language guiding, emotional awareness, and more.
The Importance of Connection and Communication
As a parent or caregiver, you are a child's first point of connection—not only to the world around them but also to how they begin to connect with themselves. This connection starts when babies make noises to express their needs and wants, eventually developing into two-way conversations where their personalities start to shine through. Every child is different, so the level of connection and the ways you achieve it may not look the same as others. This is normal and encouraged, as individualized care and support enable a child to flourish naturally and with great attention.
As you embark on this journey of connection and communication, take a step back and ask yourself: “What can they teach me?” Growing alongside a child allows for a unique level of understanding, giving them the space to feel heard and seen, not just taught. It is important to have these check-ins with yourself regularly. As the behavior modeler, you want to match your child's curiosity, and you might even discover new things from them as you open yourself to seeing the world through their eyes.
Approaches to Enhancing Early Communication
With a fundamental understanding of the importance of fostering a child's initial connection to the world through both non-verbal and verbal language, we can now look at practical approaches. A wide range of practices are suited for individuals at each stage of development. No matter what stage your child is at, there is a tool for everyone, offering hope and instilling confidence in you as their teacher. Here are some key points to guide you:
Start Early
Talk to your baby as you would a friend, avoiding baby talk. This helps them stay curious and develop a love for learning from what you share.
Being around language, whether in conversation or song, allows a child to recognize sounds from a young age, making them more comfortable with its role in everyday life.
Starting early can also help identify any language or speech delays, bringing awareness to potential issues.
Be Interactive
Use expressive language when you interact. Over-exaggerate facial expressions and say the emotion as you display it for example. You can say “happy” when you smile.
Ask open-ended questions and let them answer. Prompt them to describe what they are doing to build their vocabulary. Fill in the blanks if needed or add descriptors to connect thoughts and feelings to actions.
Go Slow
Take your time to sound out sentences and words. Over-exaggerate mouth movements to model speech sounds and the use of the tongue for creating verbal language.
Do not express frustration or concern if a child takes longer than expected. Instead, if they are stuck, give them confirmation that you are still listening and guide them if needed.
Avoid interrupting. Show lots of interest in what they are saying and how they are saying it. This will let your child know it is okay to take time and go slow to reach the end result instead of not speaking at all.
Keep It Simple
Sometimes it is hard not to correct children, but acknowledging their limited life experiences in language and emotions can help you gain perspective into what “keeping it simple” can be for both you and your child.
Work to relate to your child. If they want to use their imagination, play into that together.
In Conclusion,
Understanding and supporting a child’s journey in learning to talk is a rewarding and vital part of their development. As a parent or caregiver, your role is to provide a nurturing environment where both verbal and non-verbal communication can flourish. By starting early, being interactive, taking things slow, and keeping your interactions encouraging, you can help your child build the necessary skills to communicate effectively. Remember, every child’s journey is unique, and your patience and dedication are key to their success.
At the California Scottish Rite Foundation, we are committed to "giving the future a voice." By implementing these tools and practices, you not only foster your child’s growth but also instill in them the confidence to explore and express themselves. Embrace this journey together and take joy in the small victories and milestones along the way. Your support, understanding, and active engagement make all the difference in helping your child connect with the world around them.