A lot of parents want to know "what can I do to support my child's language development over the summer?". The answer is actually very simple. Talk to your munchkin! I work with kids who all have very different needs, some of my kiddos need help improving sound productions, some of my kids are talking, but not a lot, and some of my kiddos are just learning how to be communicators, but they all have something in common! They want and need you to talk to them.
My articulation kids need you to model words correctly, but to let them make mistakes.
My new talkers need you to expand on what they are saying. If your child says "eat", you can say to her "eat cracker". If your child sees a car and says "car", you can say "blue car", or "big blue truck". You can offer choices, what shirt do they want to wear, what color apple do they want to buy? And however they respond is CORRECT!! Their answer doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be a try!
My beginning communicators may not seem to have much to say, but believe me, they do. They are beginning to lead you to what they want and have their own way of communicating. As much as we want them to talk the way we want them to, we have to meet them where they are and support them where they are. So if your child is leading you to something, once you get there, try to get eye contact and label what they have taken you to. Offer choices. Show them the choices, and when they reach for something, they have told you what they want! They have communicated and that is exciting!!
I have few kids that also have a lot to say, and are really trying very hard to communicate but for some reason, the sounds are not coming out. This is ok. It is frustrating for them and for you, but patience is so important. All of the tips above are important for these little guys. I will add that playing with sounds, facial expressions, big body movements and oral motor movements are especially important (actually, still a good tip for all the kids).
Where do you need to go to work on these skills? Any where!! Go to the beach, go to the playground, go to the zoo, play in your backyard, read a book on the couch, talk about what you see as you are driving your car. Just talk, talk, talk and listen to your child. Does your child not like to read books? That's ok, just talk about the pictures, it's all quality time and there is no right or wrong way to share language with your child.
As an added note, try to limit screen time, ANY screen time. If your child does have screen time, make sure it is good screen time. ABC mouse, Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street are all good options. And be sure to use this time to interact and talk about what they are watching or doing. Any time you are talking to them is good language building time.
Let's have a great summer and enjoy meeting these amazing kiddos right where they are!!
-Miss Alissa
