All posts tagged: early language development

Speech, language and communication – What to expect at 6 months

Speech, language and communication – What to expect at 6 months

10/02/2017 sarah

Speech, language and communication development – What to expect at 6 months.

At this stage babies are becoming more aware of what is going on in the world around them.  They begin to experiment with their own voice and develop early turn taking skills. Babies develop skills at different rates but most have acquired the following skills by 6 months:

Startle at loud noises

Turn in the direction of the sound they hear

Recognise your voice and watch your face when you talk to them

Smile and laugh in response to others smiling and laughing

Experiment with their voice by making cooing, gurgling and babbling sounds

Gain attention of others by making sounds such as cooing or squealing

Have different cries to express their different needs e.g. hunger, tiredness.

 

How you can support your baby’s speech, language and communication development.

Copy sounds that your baby makes then wait for her to respond – this encourages early turn taking skills which is important in all communication.

Hold your baby face to face so that your baby can see you when you are talking.

During daily routines talk to your baby about what you are doing – e.g. when changing your baby’s nappy you could say “Mummy’s cleaning your bottom”. This will help your baby to learn new words..

When you are in the car or walking with the pram talk to your baby about where you are going and what they can see or hear around them e.g. “Let’s go and see Nanny” or “oh look there’s a bird”.

Take time to look at simple picture books and talk about what your baby can see.

If you are worried or concerned about your baby’s speech, language and communication development speak to your Health visitor, GP or Speech and Language Therapist. For more helpful tips and advice follow us on Facebook @Chester Speech Therapy.

Look out for my next blog – Speech, language and communication – what to expect at 12 months

Sarah Neilson, Independent Speech and Language Therapist. Chester Speech Therapy. www.chesterspeechtherapy.co.uk  info@chesterspeechtherapy.co.uk  07973 213 648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

read more
Encouraging Language and communication – Nursery Rhymes

Encouraging Language and communication – Nursery Rhymes

23/08/2016 chesters_admin No comments

This is my first in a series of posts to show you how you can support your child’s language and communication development during daily activities and routines.  As a Speech and Language Therapist and a mother of two young children I am aware of the importance of communication development but also realise how busy family life can be.

The suggestions in my posts are intended to be easy to include into daily routines.

Even though both my children are now school age they continue to enjoy songs and rhymes. I remember singing to them from when they were tiny babies. Whether it was a calming rhyme to attempt to settle them in the middle of the night or daytime action rhyme. To begin with I did feel slightly self conscious as I am aware that I don’t have the best singing voice, but the feedback from a little face smiling back at me soon made me less so.
I am going to share with you some of the benefits of using songs and rhymes and some ideas I use when singing with my children.
Singing rhymes and songs supports the development of:

  • new vocabulary
  • how sounds combine and blend together to form a word
  • rhythm, rhyme and different beats
  • non-verbal communication skills
  • social skills
  • hand eye co-ordination by copying actions
  • language, communication and literacy skills

 

Making the most of songs and rhymes

  • Sitting face to face with your child enables you to see each other’s facial expressions.
  • Singing slowly and clearly gives your child the opportunity to learn how sounds combine and blend together to form a word, hear each single word and join in by taking a turn
  • Pausing during key parts of the rhyme gives your child the opportunity to take a turn. How they take their turn will depend on their stage of development. It may be a single word, a sound, or even an action or change in facial expression.
  • Make the songs and rhymes visual by using props such as puppets and pictures
  • Don’t expect too much from your child. To begin with focus on singing one or two songs from a small selection. This will help your child to become familiar with the songs. You will both begin to have favourites.
  • Words to rhymes and songs can be found on the internet and also check out your local library as they often hold Rhyme time sessions.
  • Most importantly – Have fun!

 

 

 

read more

About Us

Chester Speech Therapy was set up to meet the needs of children with communication difficulties living in the North West. We provide high quality assessment, advice and therapy for children aged 0 – 11 years.

Recent Posts

Tags