Let’s Get Talking! Lisa Drake, CCC-Sp

Terms Speech Sound Articulation

Terms Language Receptive: Understanding what is said Expressive: Verbal – Nonverbal words gestures signs

Language Milestones Birth to 6 months Coos (vowel-like sounds) Smiles Laughs Recognizes familiar voices

Language Milestones 6 – 12 months Babbles (consonant-vowel sound combos) Looks for familiar objects/people when named Imitates an adult (verbal and non-verbal) Has about 3 words or so – mama, dada, baba

Language Milestones 12 – 18 months Vocabulary increases to 15 – 25 words Points to several body parts or pictures on books.

Language Milestones 18 – 24 months Follow 1 & 2 step commands Big increase in vocabulary Beginning to put 2 words together - (“my juice”)

Language Milestones 24 – 30 months Knows actions Vocabulary includes nouns and verbs 2 & 3 word phrases consistently Uses words for more than just labeling

Words are used to: Label – identify Request Comment Regulate the behaviors of others

Reasons for Language Delay Birth trauma Neurological Structural (anatomy) Genetic (syndrome) Ear Infections or Middle Ear Fluid Family History None of the Above!!!

Imitation Important skill for babies When parents imitate their baby early on it helps establish a pattern. Baby will grow and start to imitate mom or dad and this helps the baby learn that his actions influence others.

Turn Taking Communication requires “give & take” Baby learns that parent wants him to do something Understanding the intention of others lays the foundation that communication is more that just words – it is the beginning of interaction with others.

Examples of Turn Taking: Peek-a-boo Banging toys Any repetitive game *Playing with sounds back & forth is the beginning of turn taking skills necessary for all social interactions.

Gestures Facial expressions Physical movements Pointing

Gestures We use actions/gestures with our babies Wave bye bye Signal “Come here” Arms out when we want to pick them up “Where” (We put arms up and shrug shoulders) Use gestures to interact & actively communicate with your child

Gestures will: Teach your child how fun it is to interact and motivate him to learn to talk Help enrich his receptive language base

ALWAYS: Pair spoken word with the gesture (helps the child to understand the word and then he will be more likely to use it when ready) Model the gesture to your child Be consistent with the gesture you use.

Follow Your Child’s Lead Child’s attention is best when directed towards things he chooses rather than your choices. Give the child time to respond.

Follow Your Child’s Lead OWL Observe Wait Listen

Remember to: Get at eye level Use simple language Give child choices Provide names of many of the objects or actions in environment Avoid: Do you what this or that?

Self Talk You, the parent, are talking about what you are doing, seeing, or hearing.

Parallel Talk You, the parent, are describing what the child is doing, seeing or hearing.

Modeling & Expanding Acknowledge your child’s verbal attempt and repeat it with a longer sentence structure. Example: Child: “Ba” (Points or looks at ball.) Parent: “Ball. That is a red ball.” or “You want the ball.” or “Big ball.” or “My ball.”

Modeling & Expanding You should model and expand the utterance about one level higher than the child 1 word phrase – 2 word phrase

Talk Talk Talk Children learn by hearing language over and over again. Encourage your child to talk by creating teachable moments for your child to use his words. Don’t anticipate every need (remember: give choices)

Talk Talk Talk Don’t require him to say something on command “Say juice.” Don’t require him to say something by always asking “What’s this?”

Talk Talk Talk Spontaneous communication is more rewarding Use everyday activities Dressing Bathing Mealtime Driving Shopping Unplug the DVD and Shut off the cell phone

Talk Talk Talk Ask open ended questions Gives child more opportunity for verbal response Yes/no questions Limiting and then you need to repeat their answer!

Don’t Forget to Read Make it part of your daily routine Helps make connection with words Read the pictures, not the words Don’t get discouraged! Turn pages Keep trying Hand over hand touching!