11 Techniques To Strengthen The Child’s Communication Skills
Imagine that a small child, a couple of years old, has tremendous pain, for example, in a tooth. He tries to let you know, but since he has not developed the language correctly, he cannot. Therefore, it is important to know some techniques to strengthen the communication capacity of the child.
If a child does not pass each stage of child development with minimal language possibilities, he will have more difficulties communicating with his elders and with his peers. Therefore, when you have a problem, such as the pain that we talked about before, you must add to the unpleasant situation an extra disappointment, the frustration of not being able to properly report your ailment.
Now, remember that each child has their own rhythms. Let’s not pretend that a one-year-old, for example, has an extensive vocabulary. However, always respecting the natural development of each child, it is a good idea to support with techniques and strategies that allow them to manage the acquisition of skills such as language.
How to strengthen the communication capacity of the child?
Lara Beltrán is a certified speech therapist at Red Cenit and for many years she has focused on adequate development with children with language problems and limited communication skills.
Remember that the stages of child development are key to the development of proper listening skills and a minimum level of attention.
Thus, it is necessary to help the little ones in the stimulation of language. In the face of any child neurodevelopmental disorder, these stimulation techniques will be especially important.
Therefore, following their advice, we consider these techniques that we show below as effective in this matter.
Toys and objects
The use of toys and various objects is recommended , some of them very common. For example, a story, a book with photographs or drawings … Any of them will be useful to enhance language development.
Reinforcement of the child’s effort
Every time the little one makes an effort to make himself understood, we must reward and reinforce him. Rather than ridicule (such a thing should never be done), we will respond when you make these vocalizing attempts and let you know that we take pride in your work.
Be their role model to strengthen the child’s communication skills
The child needs a model of linguistic correction and language articulation. And that model will be us. We will speak to you slowly and clearly so that you know what is correct and what is not.
Promoting the need for language
We will also encourage the use of language in children. To do this, without anticipating their needs, we will let them demand and ask for what they need.
Reading
It is important that the child read for a while every day. The stories with pictures, for example, the stories and the oral tradition help to stimulate the linguistic improvement of the little ones.
Expressiveness
Another simple detail that is not taken into account many times and is very effective. To help the little ones to improve their linguistic and communicative skills, it is interesting to use gestures and be very expressive.
Simple language to strengthen the child’s communication skills
Likewise, it is good that we communicate with children through simple, colloquial language, and that we structure short sentences that can be understood well. With the right tone and short speech, we will get them to attend and also imitate us, hence it is necessary to simplify as much as we can.
Use of descriptions
It is good, when the child does something, like drawing or playing with a puzzle , that we describe in words what entertains him. We can even take photos that we will use later so that the little one can identify various activities and improve his self-knowledge, his level of understanding and his ability to describe routines.
Opportunity and time
When the child finds himself in the need to answer, no matter how much problems he suffers, let’s give him time to do so. It is important that, even if it is expensive, you put in the effort and speak for yourself.
Use familiar sounds
Add familiar and routine sounds, such as a door opening, a dog barking, or a doorbell ringing. All this will catch your attention and help you to work communication at a basic level.
Use music to strengthen the child’s communication skills
It encourages a taste for music and melodies in the little one. Using simple nursery rhymes helps them pick up a conversational rhythm and develop communication fluency.
In short, these 11 techniques to strengthen the communication capacity of the child that we offer you are just a small portion of everything you can use. The important thing is that you do it correctly, with love, empathy and patience. Little by little, you will see excellent results.
