Children with speech and language problems may have trouble sharing their thoughts with words or gestures. They may also have a hard time saying words clearly and understanding spoken or written language. Reading to your child and having her name objects in a book or read aloud to you can strengthen her speech and language skills.
Helping your child love books
You’ll find sharing books together is a great way to bond with your son or daughter and help your child’s development at the same time. Give your child a great gift that will last for life — the love of books.
Children with speech and language problems may have trouble sharing their thoughts with words or gestures. They may also have a hard time saying words clearly and understanding spoken or written language. Reading to your child and having her name objects in a book orread aloud to you can strengthen her speech and language skills.
Tips for reading with your infant or toddler
Each time you read to your child, you are helping her brain to develop. So read to your child every day. Choose books that you think your child will enjoy and will be fun for you to read.
Since younger children have short attention spans, try reading for a few minutes at a time at first. Then build up the time you read together. Your child will soon see reading timeas fun time!
Here are some things you can try:
- Read the same story again and again. The repetition will help her learn language.
- Choose books with rhymes or songs. Clap along to the rhythm and help your child clap along. As your child develops, ask her to fill in words. (“Twinkle twinkle little star. How I wonder what you ____.”)
- Point to pictures and talk about them. (“Look at the silly monkey!”) You can also ask your child to point to certain pictures. (“Where’s the cat?”)
- Talk about events in your child’s life that relate to the story. (“That bear has blue pajamas just like you do!”)
- Ask your child questions about the story. (“Is that bunny hiding?”) As your child
Suggested books for your infant or toddler
- My Very First Mother Goose or Dr. Seuss books with their rhyming stories
- Each Peach Pear Plum, by Allan and Janet Ahlberg
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr.
Preschool and school-age children
Helping your preschooler or school-age child love books
When you read to your child often and combine reading time with cuddle and play time, your child will link books with fun times together. So continue to read to your child every day. Choose books that are on your child’s language level and that your child likes.
Here are some things you can try:
- Discuss the story with your child. (“Why do you think the monkey stole the key?”)
- Help your child become aware of letter sounds. (While pointing to a picture of a snake, ask: “What sound does a snake make?”) As your child develops, ask more complex questions. (While pointing to a picture of a ball, ask: “What sound does ‘ball’ start with?”)
- Play sound games with your child. List words that rhyme (“ball,” “tall”) or start with the same sound (“mommy,” “mix”).
Suggested books for your preschooler or school-age child
Funny or silly books are a good choice for this age group. Some titles include:
- Does a Chimp Wear Clothes?, by Fred Ehrlich, M.D.
- Hippos Go Beserk!, by Sandra Boynton
- Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, by Dr. Seuss
Books to help children and parents learn more about speech and language problems
For children
- Let’s Talk About Stuttering, by Susan Kent (Ages 4–8)
- Coping with Stuttering, by Melanie Ann Apel (Ages 9–12)
For parents
- Childhood Speech, Language, and Listening Problems, by Patricia Hamaguchi
- Does My Child Have a Speech Problem?, by Katherine Martin
- The New Language of Toys: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Special Needs: A Guide for Parents and Teachers, by Sue Schwartz and Joan Miller
- The Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language Problems, by Debbie Feit and Heidi Feldman
For more information
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association — (800) 638-8255
- Apraxia-Kids (The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association)
- Speechville Express