Things Parents Can Do to Change Communication at HOME:
• Create an album of family members
• “Communication Book” – add new activities daily/weekly (can use a simple copy book and fill with a variety of activities!)
• Magazine/Toy catalogues with pictures
• Have parents chart the child’s progress. Create the chart(s) with the family.
• Ask parents to take pictures of the child’s favorite food/toys (can also use food/toy labels) – use pictures to practice naming and building the child’s vocabulary.
• Choose pictures by sounds – b,p,w,m – “bilabial sounds”, which should be mastered by age 3 is a good place to start
• Stickers of characters/cartoons (most kids love stickers!!)
• Encourage mom to set up play dates and opportunities for the child to interact with other children. May even consider a daycare/class 1-2 mornings/week.
• Involve siblings – show them how to play better with the child (without talking for them).
• Coach the mom on giving the child visual and verbal choices – (i.e. “Do you want juice or milk?). Make sure the child can both see and hear the choices.
• Get messy! Use art and food to tap into sensory needs
• Go swimming – many kids love bath time and the pool – the water will often naturally address many sensory needs and then can reinforce communication.
• Engage child in verbal play. If they say “ba” , you say “ba”
• Build on what they can say. If the child can say “ball”, you expand it by saying, “big ball” or “red ball”, etc.
• “Play dumb” – tell moms not to anticipate every need of the child. Allow time for some frustration and the need to get your attention and communicate.
• Keep commands short – 1-3 words at a time (model “good speech”)
• Use lots of repetition!! Saying the same thing over and over helps to reinforce it.
• Create family time and get everyone involved – eat as a family, go to a playground together, etc. – include the child in these times when communication is being modeled by siblings and other family members.
• Food can be a natural motivator to communicate. Pick one meal a day when the child will need to sign/say “more” and “please” and “all done”, etc. during mealtime
• Tap/clap out speech (gives small children something visual/tactile to understand something they cannot see – speech!! i.e. clap out long words like “el-e-phant”)
• Music!!! Singing and listening to music can be very helpful for children learning the rhythm of the language. The repetition of familiar tunes can also be very helpful.
• Books!! Also helps with learning the rhythm of the language. The pictures also help to keep children engaged and focused.
• Be Creative!!! What are the child’s likes/interests? How can you include it in their communication? (i.e. dinosaurs, trains, etc.)
It is important to note that this list is broad. Not all suggestions will work for all families, so it is important to evaluate the needs of the child and the commitment of the family. Oh, and don’t forget to HAVE FUN! Remember, children learn through play!! J