If your child is not yet talking, it can be a source of concern and stress for parents. However, there are several things that parents and caregivers can do to help increase their child's expressive language skills. Here are five tips to increase expressive language in children who are not yet talking:
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Parallel Talk: Follow your child's lead by copying what they are doing and add words to describe the objects they touch and the actions they are doing. For example, if your child is playing with a toy car, you can say "You're pushing the car. It's going fast." This helps to build their vocabulary and understanding of language while also reinforcing the action they are doing.
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Narrate: Talk to the child about what you are doing during activities of daily living. For example, if you're cooking dinner, you can describe what you're doing and the ingredients you're using. This helps to expose the child to a variety of vocabulary and language structures while also providing context for their learning.
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Face-to-Face: Get down to your child's eye level so that the child can watch the way your mouth changes shape to produce words. This helps the child to see how words are formed and the way in which sounds are produced. It also helps to engage the child in conversation and makes it easier for them to focus on your words and facial expressions.
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Repetition: Babies hear sounds and words hundreds if not thousands of times before they attempt imitation. Repeat sounds, words, and phrases as you model them. This helps to reinforce the sounds and words in the child's mind, making it easier for them to attempt imitation when they are ready.
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Play: Play is an important way for children to learn and develop their language skills. Encourage your child to play with toys that require them to use language, such as dolls or action figures. Use the toys to model language and encourage the child to imitate your words and actions.
In conclusion, there are several things that parents and caregivers can do to help increase expressive language in children who are not yet talking. By following these tips, parents can help to support their child's language development and set them up for success in the future. Remember to be patient and provide plenty of opportunities for the child to practice their language skills.