Developmental Issues

Language delays are the most common developmental delay. By age 5 children should have all the components of language needed for communication. After age 5 we only add vocabulary and sophistication.

Here is a list of questions to ask yourself about your 3 to 5 year old child:

How many words does your child use to communicate?
Does your child use sentences?
How long are those sentences?
Does he/she know color names?
Does he/she answer who, what, where and how questions correctly?
Does he/she follow directions or appear to understand directions?
How many steps do your instructions have?

The first step in helping a child with a suspected language delay is listening and observing. First evaluate your own speaking habits. Do you speak slowly, clearly, using good models? Do you allow time for your child to answer questions? Next, evaluate what your child 's language skills are. Finally, talk to and with your child. The most effective techniques for remediating language delays are used in conjunction of everyday meaningful activities and play. The desired language pattern is modeled by the adult and the child is required to repeat: at first just portions, working up to the entire model.

Here are some examples:

Getting dressed: Ask your child to name the type of clothes being put on. A two word example to this is "red shirt" Work up to having the child request the outfit of choice, "I want to wear my red shirt and blue and red shorts."

Play silly games with the clothing like: "Should I put your pants on your head?" As your child responds, hopefully with a laughing 'NOOOO', ask them, "Where should I put them."

Make sure your child has to use words to express his wants and needs. Try to expand the length of the requests so that eventually the child has to use a complete question to get his wants met.

Play with your child and describe what is going on: "My car is going over the bridge, under the overpass, into the tunnel, etc. Where is your car going?" "I am parking behind the blue car. Where will you park?"

Talking on a play phone is a good way to encourage your child to participate in conversations.

Books are a great tool for language development. But use caution. Remember to read to your child for the sheer joy of hearing a good story. When talking about the pictures or story in a book, use questions that require more than a one word naming response. Instead of, "What is this (a duck)?" ask, "Where is the ____? What is the ____ doing? What do you think will happen next? How does ____ feel? How can you tell?" Require a full sentence (eventually) for the answer, "The duck is under the leaf."

Remember to allow time for growth and progress. Celebrate the smallest advancements. Have fun. Stress is contagious and impedes learning.