Parent Tips for Supporting Communication at Home

Helping your child grow their speech and language skills doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some simple, everyday tips to make a big difference:

1.Talk Throughout the Day

Narrate what you’re doing (“Now I’m pouring the juice!”), ask open-ended questions, and encourage your child to describe what they see or think.

2.Read Together

Books are powerful tools for building vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence structure. Take turns talking about the pictures, predicting what happens next, or asking “wh” questions.

3.Keep Practice Short & Consistent

Even 5 minutes a day of speech sound practice or targeted language activities can go a long way. Make it a game, use silly voices, or incorporate favorite toys.

4.Model, Don’t Correct

If your child says a word incorrectly, try repeating it back the correct way rather than pointing out the mistake. For example:
Child: “I wuv the wabbit.”
Adult: “You love the rabbit! He’s so soft!”

5.Celebrate Communication

Whether it’s saying a tricky sound, using a new word, or taking turns in conversation—acknowledge the effort! Positive reinforcement builds confidence.