THE BEST WAY TO ASK YOUR CHILD A QUESTION.
Questions asked by adults can be simple or complex, and are often one of the first ways a child begins to understand the back and forth turn taking that makes up a conversation. However, there are ways that we, as adults, can ask questions specifically to help facilitate and support language development in young children.
USING YOUR WORDS: HELP YOUR CHILD FOSTER EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
It is often the case that parents seek guidance and support from professionals in order to help their children manage daily peer-based conflicts and emotional hurdles – You know, those moments when telling your toddler to “use your words” just doesn't seem to be enough. Lucky for parents, practicing what you preach may be one of the easiest ways to facilitate emotional development and interpersonal sensitivity in children. The more parents talk and “use their words” about specific emotions, the better an understanding their child will have about the meaning and social consequences of their own feelings and behaviors.
GET KIDS COOKING - HERE'S WHY
The benefits of cooking with your children are endless as many of us know. They love to participate, it eats up a chunk of time on a freezing Saturday, and it incorporates multiple domains of learning and development. Below I've outlined a few natural ways that cooking can be therapeutic too! Cooking benefits not only speech and language development but also motor skill development and it supports sensory skills.
When to seek professional help
There’s nobody around who can better attest to the fact that all children develop at their own pace. Some talk early, some sit before they roll over, some know all their letters before the age of 3 and some run before they walk. Variation in development is completely normal, and part of what makes your child unique! However, there are some instances when it can be beneficial to seek the input of a developmental professional, even if just for peace of mind.