What to give a child with speech difficulties
For many parents, the anticipation for their child's first words is something that can be exciting for a variety of different reasons. While it can be fun to wonder what word they might choose to be their very first, the most exciting part of thinking of your child's ability to speak is about how it will affect the many challenges that can come from speech inability.
Infants can often be a mystery when trying to decipher their needs and wants because of their inability to tell the parent what they are thinking. When a baby cries, parents must decipher if their infant is hungry, tired, or wanting their favorite toy. However, when a child finally begins to speak, it can open the door of communication that can greatly improve a parent's ability to decipher what they might be wanting.
However, when a child has verbal difficulties, it can be more than just frustrating for a parent. Verbal difficulties are often thought of as a sign of developmental delay which can merit a form of speech or developmental therapy during early childhood education. The positive to this sort of delay is that with time and effort, many children outgrow their verbal difficulties. A great way for parents to help this process to move along more quickly is by purchasing items and learning stimuli that will cater towards children with verbal difficulties.
Oftentimes for children with verbal difficulties, part of the problem involves the actual muscles around the mouth. Children with speech difficulties can sometimes have an oral fixation or excess saliva that can result in profuse drooling. A way to stimulate the muscles around the mouth is by purchasing something as simple as a vibrating toothbrush.Spinbrushoffers a number of great options for children to personalize the toothbrush to adhere to the personality of the child, whether it's their favorite cartoon character or just some add-on stickers.
Toys that interact with a child through verbal cues offer a great way for a child to be motivated to speak. Parents should look into toys that respond differently when hearing certain words, rather than by simply pushing a button or flipping a switch. This can act as a great motivator and can give your child a certain independence and feeling of triumph when they are playing.
The best gift you can give a child with verbal difficulties is a setting that involves social interaction with other children in their same age group. There are a number of different classes to choose from, whether it's through your local park district or through a specialty organization. There are some children's classes that cater towards those with speech difficulties and provide specific activities that can help children to interact with their peers through communication. Continued practice can greatly improve their speaking ability.
While it can be frustrating when a parent can see that their child is having difficulty conveying their feelings, it is important to understand that the situation is not hopeless. Taking a bit of extra effort with your child and purchasing items that can stimulate speech can make a tremendous difference.
