If I Could Teach My Child To Say Five Things

Happy New Year parents!
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My first post this year is about a holistic outlook on your child’s early communication goals. Life is busy and working on your child’s communication for hours each week is just not realistic. But there are certainly things you can work on which you don’t even need to sit down for.
Here are five things that you can teach your child to say which will go a long way:
 
1. To ask for help
This is such an important skill and it is surprising just how many children do not have it. Teaching your child to say, “I want help” enables them to get the help they need if you are not with them, or, in the case of an emergency.
 
2. To refuse things
Giving your child words like, “no” and “I don’t want” enables them to express their dislikes and opinions. This will reduce unwanted behaviors like those spectacular tantrums, which are often a result of not being able to verbally express themselves.
 
3. To ask for things they want
Teaching your child to do this makes it more likely that they will get what they want and less likely that they need to whine, cry, scream or show aggression to do so. One way you can encourage this at home, is to place your child’s favorite toys on a high-shelf and wait until your child asks for it or points to it.
 
4. To ask for ‘more’
When your child can ask for ‘more’, they will be able to sustain wanted and preferred activities. This will also reduce unwanted behaviors like snatching.
 
5. To express their emotions
When children don’t have the words to describe how they feel, this usually comes out through non-verbal behaviors. For example, when your child shows self-harm behaviors or aggression towards others, what they might be communicating is “I’m frustrated.” Teaching your child to verbally express their emotions will likely replace problem behaviors.

So how can you teach your child these skills?
It is much simpler than you think!
You are your child’s main language model, and over time, they will likely learn to say what you say. So, the next time you reach for the juice in your fridge, try thinking out loud by saying, “I want juice.” You can also think out loud in front of your child by saying things like, “I want more”, “I feel happy / sad / mad” in the moment or “I don’t want” to refuse items. It might feel strange at first, but eventually, you won't even realise you're doing it anymore!
 
Speak soon,
The Expat Speechie