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Useful materials about speech problems
in children and adults
in children and adults
Hello, friends! We are Path, and we're building an international community for adults and children with language and speech delay, as well as experts to provide emotional support, assistance with speech development and socialization. We will offer a wide range of resources and support, including: • A safe and supportive community forum where people can connect with others who understand what they're going through • Access to educational resources and tools on speech development, communication strategies, and more • One-on-one support from experts in the field • A variety of events and activities that help people with language and speech delay connect with their community and build social skills. In path we create a comfortable and accepting space to connect with others, space, where you are supported and understood, and with all necessary resources you need to overcome difficulties associated with speech and language delay. You are not alone, we are here to support you! We're truly passionate about our goal, and we're dedicated to creating the best possible solution. Best regards, Path team |
The balance in the world of smart media
Excessive and uncontrolled use of intellectual media can contribute to speech delays. The later an intellectual device is introduced, the better the language development will be.
Maintaining a balance between interactive screen time and other forms of interaction, such as face-to-face communication, outdoor play and interactive games, ultimately plays a crucial role in promoting speech development and counteracting the negative impact of smart media.
Maintaining a balance between interactive screen time and other forms of interaction, such as face-to-face communication, outdoor play and interactive games, ultimately plays a crucial role in promoting speech development and counteracting the negative impact of smart media.
How to use modern technologies beneficially?
Mobile applications for speech development:
There are numerous applications designed to support children's speech development. These applications may include interactive games, tasks for sound and word recognition, as well as exercises for forming sentences.
Augmented and virtual reality technologies:
The use of ar and vr can create interesting and engaging environments conducive to learning. These technologies can be adapted to develop communication and language skills.
Communication devices and programs:
For children with serious speech delays, specialized communication devices and programs can be used, allowing children to express their thoughts and needs through auditory or visual means.
7 Practical Ways to Enhance Child’s Speech and Language Skills
1. Reduce Screen Time
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 2 should have no screen time, 2 and older - no more than 2 hours a day.
• Excessive screen time is linked to language development delays.
• Children should spend time developing properly while playing-fine motor, imagining, engaging with others, reading, and outdoor play, learning to socialize.
2. Discuss Past Events with Your Child
• After engaging in an activity, ask your child specific questions about what happened.
• Encourage conversation about their favorite parts and dislikes.
• Prompt your child to think about areas for improvement if they were to do it again.
• Enhance their cognitive abilities by asking them to sequence the different elements of the event.
3. Explore and Discuss During Walks
• Allow your child to lead the conversation during a walk and discuss subjects they find interesting.
• For younger children, label objects and describe actions you observe.
• For older children, ask questions based on what they see to encourage dialogue and observational skills.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 2 should have no screen time, 2 and older - no more than 2 hours a day.
• Excessive screen time is linked to language development delays.
• Children should spend time developing properly while playing-fine motor, imagining, engaging with others, reading, and outdoor play, learning to socialize.
2. Discuss Past Events with Your Child
• After engaging in an activity, ask your child specific questions about what happened.
• Encourage conversation about their favorite parts and dislikes.
• Prompt your child to think about areas for improvement if they were to do it again.
• Enhance their cognitive abilities by asking them to sequence the different elements of the event.
3. Explore and Discuss During Walks
• Allow your child to lead the conversation during a walk and discuss subjects they find interesting.
• For younger children, label objects and describe actions you observe.
• For older children, ask questions based on what they see to encourage dialogue and observational skills.
4. Engage in Regular Reading Sessions
• Reading is the best way to improve speech and language skills.
• Dedicate just 10 minutes a day exclusively to reading and ensure it remains a special time.
• Highlight written words as you read and encourage your child to answer questions pertaining to the story and illustrations.
• Challenge your child by holding the book upside down and have them rectify it.
• Choose books based on your child’s interests.
• For older children, take turns reading paragraphs to provide them with an opportunity to practice their own reading skills.
5. Explore Topics of Interest
• Utilize library visits or online research to discover information about subjects that interest your child.
• For younger kids, focus on pictures, non-fiction books, and general knowledge about the topic.
• For older kids, encourage them to jot down interesting facts and find more in-depth resources.
• Encourage meeting individuals knowledgeable about the topic or presenting what they have learned to others.
• Reading is the best way to improve speech and language skills.
• Dedicate just 10 minutes a day exclusively to reading and ensure it remains a special time.
• Highlight written words as you read and encourage your child to answer questions pertaining to the story and illustrations.
• Challenge your child by holding the book upside down and have them rectify it.
• Choose books based on your child’s interests.
• For older children, take turns reading paragraphs to provide them with an opportunity to practice their own reading skills.
5. Explore Topics of Interest
• Utilize library visits or online research to discover information about subjects that interest your child.
• For younger kids, focus on pictures, non-fiction books, and general knowledge about the topic.
• For older kids, encourage them to jot down interesting facts and find more in-depth resources.
• Encourage meeting individuals knowledgeable about the topic or presenting what they have learned to others.
6. Enjoy Distraction-Free Family Meals
• By eliminating distractions, such as electronic devices, family meals provide more time for conversations.
• Ensure everyone gets an opportunity to talk by having a designated topic of discussion.
• For younger children, simplify the activity by having them name their favorite food or color when it's their turn to speak.
7. Engage in Conversations With Your Child About Whatever He/She Wants to Talk About
• Set down with your child and without any interruptions ask what he/she would like to talk about.
• Listen attentively to their thoughts and expand on their ideas without correcting them.
• Demonstrate good conversational skills, like maintaining eye contact, utilizing appropriate body language, and practicing turn-taking.
• By eliminating distractions, such as electronic devices, family meals provide more time for conversations.
• Ensure everyone gets an opportunity to talk by having a designated topic of discussion.
• For younger children, simplify the activity by having them name their favorite food or color when it's their turn to speak.
7. Engage in Conversations With Your Child About Whatever He/She Wants to Talk About
• Set down with your child and without any interruptions ask what he/she would like to talk about.
• Listen attentively to their thoughts and expand on their ideas without correcting them.
• Demonstrate good conversational skills, like maintaining eye contact, utilizing appropriate body language, and practicing turn-taking.
Toddler Vocabulary Explosion - Expressive Language Lesson
Between their first and second birthdays, children typically experience a significant increase in vocabulary. During this time, they can learn anywhere from 100 to 500 new words. By the age of three, they use about 1,000 different words. It's important to monitor their progress and encourage this development. If your toddler suddenly stops using words, consider consulting your pediatrician.
Tip 2 - Teach Adjectives and Verbs:
In addition to nouns, make sure to teach verbs (action words) and adjectives (descriptive words). Incorporate these words into play and daily activities. Say verbs while performing actions, like "push" when pushing a swing, and use adjectives to describe items during activities, such as "chewy" or "crunchy" during snack time. This lays the foundation for forming phrases and sentences.
In addition to nouns, make sure to teach verbs (action words) and adjectives (descriptive words). Incorporate these words into play and daily activities. Say verbs while performing actions, like "push" when pushing a swing, and use adjectives to describe items during activities, such as "chewy" or "crunchy" during snack time. This lays the foundation for forming phrases and sentences.
Tip 3 - Engage with What Your Child Likes:
Select activities your child enjoys to maintain their attention and make the learning process more engaging. The longer you can hold their interest, the more opportunities you have to introduce new words and concepts.
Select activities your child enjoys to maintain their attention and make the learning process more engaging. The longer you can hold their interest, the more opportunities you have to introduce new words and concepts.
Additional Activities to Boost Vocabulary:
Consider using familiar songs to teach new words. Sing a song with your child but pause before the final word or phrase, encouraging them to complete it. If they try, even if it's not perfect, offer excitement and encouragement. If they don't respond within a few seconds, complete the phrase and keep singing. You can use this technique with various songs throughout the day or week to make learning fun and interactive.
Consider using familiar songs to teach new words. Sing a song with your child but pause before the final word or phrase, encouraging them to complete it. If they try, even if it's not perfect, offer excitement and encouragement. If they don't respond within a few seconds, complete the phrase and keep singing. You can use this technique with various songs throughout the day or week to make learning fun and interactive.
Stories of famous people
When should you seek help?
We strongly recommend that you seek help from a speech-language professional
if your child:
if your child:
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 12 months
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 12 months
- doesn’t babble with changes in tone – e.g. dadadadadadadadada
- doesn’t use gestures like waving “bye bye” or shaking head for “no”
- doesn’t respond to her/his name
- doesn’t communicate in some way when s/he needs help with something
The Hanen Centre
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 15 months
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 15 months
- doesn't understand and respond to words like "no" and "up"
- says no words
- doesn't point to objects or pictures when asked “Where’s the...?
- doesn’t point to things of interest as if to say “Look at that!” and then look right at you
The Hanen Centre
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 18 months
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 18 months
- doesn’t understand simple commands like "Don't touch"
- isn’t using at least 20 single words like "Mommy" or "up"
- doesn’t respond with a word or gesture to a question such as “What’s that? or “Where’s your shoe?”
- can’t point to two or three major body parts such as head, nose, eyes, feet
The Hanen Centre
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 24 months
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 24 months
- says fewer than 100 words
- isn’t consistently joining two words together like "Daddy go" or “ shoes on”
- doesn’t imitate actions or words
- doesn’t pretend with toys, such as feeding doll or making toy man drive toy car
The Hanen Centre
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 30 months
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 30 months
- says fewer than 300 words
- isn’t using action words like “run”, “eat”, “fall”
- isn’t using some adult grammar, such as “two babies” and “doggie sleeping”
The Hanen Centre
We strongly recommend
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 3-4 years
that you seek help from
a speech-language professional
if your child by 3-4 years
- doesn’t ask questions by 3 years
- isn’t using sentences (e.g., "I don't want that" or "My truck is broken") by three years
- isn’t able to tell a simple story by four or five years
The Hanen Centre
If you’ve noticed one or more of these warning signs in your child, it’s important that you take action right away to ensure that they receive the help they need.
7 Tips
for supporting peer interaction in early childhood settings
for supporting peer interaction in early childhood settings
As an educator, parent or caregiver you can create an environment that encourages peer play and help children develop the skills they need to interact with each other successfully.
Here are a few tips:
• Set up for success. Arrange the different play areas, such as a dramatic play center, a book center, and a building block area. This will give children opportunities to interact with each other in small groups.
• Redirect conversation away from yourself. When a child makes a comment to you, try to redirect the conversation to another child. For example, if a child says, "Look at my new dinosaur shirt!", you could say, "You can tell Milo about your dinosaur shirt. He loves dinosaurs!"
Here are a few tips:
• Set up for success. Arrange the different play areas, such as a dramatic play center, a book center, and a building block area. This will give children opportunities to interact with each other in small groups.
• Redirect conversation away from yourself. When a child makes a comment to you, try to redirect the conversation to another child. For example, if a child says, "Look at my new dinosaur shirt!", you could say, "You can tell Milo about your dinosaur shirt. He loves dinosaurs!"
• Give an isolated child an important role. If you have a child who is less social, give them a special role in the setting, such as setting up the art table or driving the pretend bus. This will give them a reason to interact with other children and help them feel more included.
Here are some additional tips:
• Teach children about peer play. Talk to children about the importance of peer play and how to interact with each other in a positive way. You can use role-playing activities or stories to help children learn these skills.
• Model positive peer interactions. Show children how to interact with each other in a respectful and positive way. For example, you can model how to share toys, take turns, and listen to each other.
• Provide opportunities for peer play. Schedule time during the day for children to play freely with their peers. You can also incorporate peer play into your lesson plans. For example, you could have students work in pairs or small groups on projects or activities.
• Monitor peer interactions. Be aware of what is happening in the classroom and intervene if necessary to resolve conflicts or support positive interactions.
By following these tips, you can create an environment
where all children have the opportunity to develop
the social skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Here are some additional tips:
• Teach children about peer play. Talk to children about the importance of peer play and how to interact with each other in a positive way. You can use role-playing activities or stories to help children learn these skills.
• Model positive peer interactions. Show children how to interact with each other in a respectful and positive way. For example, you can model how to share toys, take turns, and listen to each other.
• Provide opportunities for peer play. Schedule time during the day for children to play freely with their peers. You can also incorporate peer play into your lesson plans. For example, you could have students work in pairs or small groups on projects or activities.
• Monitor peer interactions. Be aware of what is happening in the classroom and intervene if necessary to resolve conflicts or support positive interactions.
By following these tips, you can create an environment
where all children have the opportunity to develop
the social skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Children with
specific language disorder
specific language disorder
Many people underestimate the seriousness of language and speech delay, but when they have a child with this condition, their perspective quickly changes. Speech and language delay can be heart-wrenching for both the child and the parents.
In this article, we will focus on children with Specific Language Disorder (SLD).
These children may experience mood swings, expressing their needs through gestures and words on good days. However, on bad days, they can become easily irritated and have frequent tantrums, often refusing to use words and whining endlessly. During such moments, parents may feel disappointed, annoyed, and guilty for their previous thoughts and emotions.
It's important to remember that there are children who are completely non-verbal, and their parents would be grateful to hear just one word from their child. Therefore, we should be grateful for any level of communication and never lose hope for the child's recovery.
These children may experience mood swings, expressing their needs through gestures and words on good days. However, on bad days, they can become easily irritated and have frequent tantrums, often refusing to use words and whining endlessly. During such moments, parents may feel disappointed, annoyed, and guilty for their previous thoughts and emotions.
It's important to remember that there are children who are completely non-verbal, and their parents would be grateful to hear just one word from their child. Therefore, we should be grateful for any level of communication and never lose hope for the child's recovery.
Speech and language delay also impacts a child's overall development, as they struggle to comprehend words and often get easily distracted. While most cases can be cured, some children require more effort to start speaking.
We need to be understanding with children who have speech and language delays and imagine ourselves in their shoes. It's difficult for them to convey their thoughts and understand others. Therefore, we should simplify our words, be patient with repetition, and stay strong for our children.
Until we experience it ourselves, we have no idea how challenging the emotional roller coaster can be when communicating with a child with delays. There are very tough days, but every new word or sentence is a cause for celebration. Having a child with speech delay often means more bad days than good ones, and it's much harder than anticipated. While children do make progress, it may not be at the rate parents hope for.
So, the next time someone shares their child's speech delay with you, please never belittle its importance. It's a significant issue for them, affecting their daily lives in multiple ways.
We need to be understanding with children who have speech and language delays and imagine ourselves in their shoes. It's difficult for them to convey their thoughts and understand others. Therefore, we should simplify our words, be patient with repetition, and stay strong for our children.
Until we experience it ourselves, we have no idea how challenging the emotional roller coaster can be when communicating with a child with delays. There are very tough days, but every new word or sentence is a cause for celebration. Having a child with speech delay often means more bad days than good ones, and it's much harder than anticipated. While children do make progress, it may not be at the rate parents hope for.
So, the next time someone shares their child's speech delay with you, please never belittle its importance. It's a significant issue for them, affecting their daily lives in multiple ways.
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speech and language disorders
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speech and language disorders
