Speech, Learning, and Growth - Part 2

What I Wish I Would Have Known About Speech and Language Development
*What I Think Any Parent Should Know About Speech and Language Development – Even Those Without a Problem

First – know the speech milestones. Those parenting books are good for something. They have lots of milestones listed. Speech isn’t the only problem children come across. But, here’s for the speech milestones because so much revolves around speech.
Here’s up to 2 years: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-development/AN01026
Here’s from 3-5 years: http://www.scottishrite-child-language-center.org/?page_id=23

Second - start a speech journal, if you haven't already. Know exactly when they started what. If there is a problem later, you'll be happy you did, or even if there is no problem at all. Record all of the firsts.

There were many stories about late bloomers, surely my child would be one of them. So, you wait. And wait. And start feeling guilty, but don’t know what to do, all the time hearing the stories of late bloomers.

Don’t wait. You don’t even have to wait until you “think” there is a problem. There are things you can do at home to stimulate speech.

Stimulate Speech - Talk about everything; force yourself to talk if you’re not a talker (how many parents are talkers when you’re child can’t carry on a conversation? Not I.) Sing, read poems, read books, tell them stories about your childhood (did my mom realize this while I was a kid, because I loved hearing her stories and constantly asked for them), tell them fairy tales, tell them what a fork does (I’m really quite serious.) Or if they can say a little, ask them. What does an airplane do? What does a car do? What do we eat with? What do we eat on? Etc. Also, turn off the TV. Teach them to sign. I realize there is some controversy here. From a parent who has a child with a speech delay, it’s much more important that they understand speech than say it. Comprehension has to be the biggest problem.

Next – find where to get help and go. Sure, DS or DD (dear son, or dear daughter) may be just fine, but wouldn’t it be better to have some peace of mind.
If you live in Arizona: https://www.azdes.gov/azeip/
Any other states, this website can direct you to where you need to go: http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/StateSpecificInfo.aspx?State=Select%20a%20State

There are a large percentage of children who fall underneath the 50% of other children their age who will not get help. Their best teacher, and any child with a speech delay for that matter, is their mother. Always work to say more: more words, more sentences, and longer sentences, depending of course upon age. Also, see the section above, Stimulate Speech.