Salt Lake City, Utah – Speech and language is about much more than just how a child communicates verbally – it can affect how a child interacts with others as well as how a child speaks.
Speech is verbal language and includes articulation. Language is a much broader term that describes how one expresses and receives information. Understanding others and being understood by others is part of language. While speech and language are different, their problems may overlap.
The first three years of life are the most crucial for speech and language development. Children thrive in an environment rich with sounds, sights and consistent exposure to the language and speech of others.
"By the age of 3, all those with regular contact with a child, such as workers family, friends and staff at a child development center should understand the child," says Amy Moyes, who owns Learning Tree Schools, Salt Lake City Utah daycare centers. "Sandy parents can help their child by speaking clearly and descriptively. Take care to repeat what was said and expand on it using descriptive words that can enhance the child's understanding of language."
According to Sandy child care expert, parents should familiarize themselves with the milestones children should be meeting at each age level. If parents are worried their children are not meeting those, they should speak to their child's day care center. They may recommend a visit to a speech/language pathologist to assess the child. The pathologist may recommend activities to do at home or even therapy to stimulate the child's development.
Even from a young age, parents should take time to communicate with their children. Talking, singing and gesturing will help them as they grow. Everyday situations can reinforce a child's language and speech skills.
No matter the age of the child, treating a problem early on will provide the greatest outcome and prevent the problem from hindering their learning later in life. Parents should work closely with the child care experts in their children's lives to assess any issues and determine the most appropriate way to handle them.
