Improving Your Baby's Communication
Most children develop language and communication skills naturally, "on their own", however there are many strategies that adults can use with their children to enhance their children's communication skills and development. Listed below are suggestions that may seem silly, but really are significant in improving your baby's ability to communicate and most importantly, hopefully prevent communication delays.
INTERACT ON YOUR CHILD'S LEVEL
Interaction on your child's level is extremely important in expanding your child's language. However, 'level' means two different things;
When they make simple Facial and Mouth Movements; expand on their movements. Comment on what your child is doing. However use simple language. Do not speak in complex sentences and ask questions to a baby and expect an answer! If your child says "ba" while playing with a toy try to extend the sound into an appropriate word (i.e. "bubbles", if you are playing with bubbles). Then when your child says 'bubbles' you may want to expand on that and say 'more bubbles' or 'big bubbles', etc.
- You should try to remain on the same physical level as your child as often possible, as to increase eye gaze and so your child feels as they are on your level
- Communicate on your child's level as well so you are on the same linguistic level as your child. What you want to do is interact on their communication level and simply expand their linguist level at little steps as to not overwhelm them.
When they make simple Facial and Mouth Movements; expand on their movements. Comment on what your child is doing. However use simple language. Do not speak in complex sentences and ask questions to a baby and expect an answer! If your child says "ba" while playing with a toy try to extend the sound into an appropriate word (i.e. "bubbles", if you are playing with bubbles). Then when your child says 'bubbles' you may want to expand on that and say 'more bubbles' or 'big bubbles', etc.
FOLLOW YOUR CHILD'S INTERESTS/LEAD
The first step is to notice what your child is interested in talking, playing with, or learning about. Children will tell us if not verbally, through gesturing, eye gaze, body movements, or vocalizations what they are interested in. It is our job to enhance those interests by not only affirming those interests but also expanding on them. When we know what makes our child happy, interested, inquisitive, we can use those times as opportunities to communicate.
Example: Your child is playing and engaged with his/her favorite dolls. Your dog suddenly walks by and your child's eye gaze moves toward the dog, meaning that the dog suddenly caught their interest. Your language would then switch from language about the dolls, to language about the dog.
This will again affirm your child's interests and make him/her feel that his/her interests are worthy
Example: Your child is playing and engaged with his/her favorite dolls. Your dog suddenly walks by and your child's eye gaze moves toward the dog, meaning that the dog suddenly caught their interest. Your language would then switch from language about the dolls, to language about the dog.
This will again affirm your child's interests and make him/her feel that his/her interests are worthy
