Better Hearing & Speech Month: 7 Tips to Boost Your Child’s Communication at Home
In honor of Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM), here are some practical, everyday ways to help your child grow their communication skills—no extra gadgets or long appointments needed!
1. Narrate Your Day (Language Modeling)
Be a “sportscaster” for everyday life! Talk through routines slowly and clearly:
While cooking: “We’re peeling a banana. Yummy banana! Now we cut it.”
In the car: “I see a big truck. That truck is blue.”
This exposes your child to new words and sentence structure naturally—bonus: it fits seamlessly into your day.
2. Offer Choices Everywhere
Encourage communication by giving choices, even if your child isn’t yet speaking:
“Do you want an apple or a cracker?”
If they point or make a sound, model the word back: “Oh, you want the cracker. Okay, cracker it is!” This motivates them to indicate preferences while reinforcing new words.
3. Expand on Their Words
When your child uses a word or phrase, celebrate it and gently build on it:
Child says: “Ball.” You say: “Yes, a red ball!”
Child says: “Go car.” You say: “We will go in the car to Grandma’s.”
This “expansion” technique helps them learn longer, more descriptive sentences without pressure.
4. Turn Playtime into Chat Time
Follow your child’s lead in play and talk about what they’re doing:
Rolling a car: “Your car is going fast! Go, car, go!”
Add new ideas: “Oh no, car crashed – boom! Let’s fix it.”
Pause occasionally and look at your child expectantly—this gives them a chance to respond vocally or with gestures.
5. Sing Songs and Use Gestures
Songs and motions make words stick:
“Itsy Bitsy Spider” (hand motions for climbing)
“Wheels on the Bus” (spin your arms for wheels)
Nursery rhymes with fill-in-the-blank lines encourage speech: “Twinkle twinkle little ___” – wait for them to fill in “star!”
6. Use Visual Supports
Visual cues can help your child understand and communicate:
Picture cards for favorite items (milk, toy, snack)
Labels around the house (toothbrush on the bathroom door, shoes by the bin)
Visual schedules or “first/then” charts (e.g., “First eat, then play”)
These reduce frustration and make it easier for children to communicate wants and needs.
7. Be Patient and Praise Every Attempt
Give your child time to express themselves—5–10 seconds can be golden. Praise all communication efforts:
Words, signs, points, bringing objects, smiles, or eye contact
“Thank you for telling me!” or “I love how you asked for help!”
Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages more attempts.
Bonus: Check Hearing
Since it’s BHSM, take a moment to check your child’s hearing. Even mild hearing loss can affect speech. Many clinics offer free screenings in May. And if you’ve been concerned about your child’s speech for a while, consider a professional evaluation—early action is key!
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