If your child or grandchild struggles to communicate, it can lead to feelings of frustration – for them and you. What’s more, your concerns about the challenges they’re facing and potential uncertainty about how to support them can cause you to experience a whole range of difficult emotions including helplessness and isolation – how can you help them and ‘am I the only one’?
It is important that you remain as positive as you can, whenever your child attempts to speak or communicate, even if they make a mistake or it feels like they’re not improving. ?Here are some quick, easy and very do-able tips that we hope will make your child’s learning a happier experience for all of you:
Be patient
It can be tempting to jump in and finish a child’s word or sentence for them when they’re trying to communicate with you – but try to hold back and let them finish. If they mispronounce something or don’t get it quite right, repeat it back calmly so they hear it correctly.
Trust the process
If your child has communication difficulties, it can sometimes feel like they’re making slow progress. Comparing them to other children can add to your anxiety and make you feel they need to ‘hurry up’. But even on days when they’re really struggling with their speech, trust that every attempt, or practice they make at communicating, really will make a difference.
Respond positively
Every time your child attempts to communicate, engage fully with them; make sure you give them plenty of eye contact, smile and look interested in what they’re saying. This will help to make communication a pleasurable experience for them – and you!
Demonstrate that you’ve understood them
Even if your child makes lots of mistakes with their communication, let them express themselves and then repeat it the right way – ‘Yes, the ball is red, isn’t it?’ ‘You’re thirsty – shall we get a drink?’ or ‘This is your favourite TV programme, isn’t it?’
Focus on what it is they’re trying to tell you – knowing that they’ve got their meaning across is very rewarding and motivating and will encourage them to try to communicate more.
If your child finds communication challenging, or you have concerns that you might not be able to discuss with anyone else, get in touch today for some friendly advice. Just give us a call or send us an email – we're looking forward to hearing from you.
We are proudly supporting Pilgrims Hospices by making a £10 donation for every Google review we receive for Speech4Kids.
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Read moreIf your child or grandchild struggles to communicate, it can lead to feelings of frustration – for them and you. What’s more, your concerns about the challenges they’re facing and potential uncertainty about how to support them can cause you to experience a whole range of difficult emotions including helplessness and isolation – how can you help them and ‘am I the only one’?
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