Most parents are eager for the first time their baby says Mama or Dada. Most parents should hear their own name by the time their child is 10 months of age. I waited. And waited some more. By the time my oldest child could say those precious words she was 27 months. Yes, that is more than two years of age. By age two, a child should be saying two and three word sentences.
Big Sister, as we call her here on the blog, has overcome childhood apraxia of speech, a speech disorder which is not outgrown like a typical delay. (You can read more of her remarkable story by clicking that link.) She is now a seven year old first grader, excelling academically. If you read any books or articles about preparing your child for academic success later, early speech development is discussed. A LOT. For parents of apraxic children it is terribly discouraging. That is one of the reasons why I share so much about Big Sister.
I want others to have hope.
(I shared a good deal of speech activities on my old blog. Since it is an inactive blog, I like to share here, too, especially since some day I may make it private.)
As Big Sister was slowly increasing her vocabulary as she approached the age of three, I created an ABC sound/speech book for her using all of the word approximations she had. Children with speech delays or disorders with a small vocabulary will be able to "read" the whole ABC picture and sound book.
Please Note: These images show Big Sister's big vocabulary letters. The /b/, /m/, and /e/ are also easy sounds to make. Nearly all of the "words" pictured above were only word approximations.
- Cut large letters of the alphabet from colored paper or print each letter on one piece of paper.
- Make a list of your child's word approximations.
- Search for images without copyright or use your own drawings and photographs.
- Place the images in a Word document. Adjust the size of the pictures so that many can fit on one page. Print and cut out the images.
- Choose one letter/sound focus. Gather your paper, letter, and images along with glue prior to inviting your child to work with you.
- Model the letter name and sound for your child. Have your child glue the letter to the paper.
- Then, have your child say the word (approximation) of a picture and then have your child glue it to paper until that page for the ABC Sound Book.
Suggestions:
- I would suggest NOT using construction paper. Our completed book was very thick and big, and it did not fit in a three ring binder.
- Complete only one letter at a time.
- Pull out the completed pages to help your child say the words he or she CAN say even before the book is completed.
- Don't forget to use family members' pictures!
- Some of our images were of the sign for the word (as seen above with "more").
- Write the date on the back of each letter when it is completed. You might be surprised at how your child's vocabulary increases from the time you begin the speech book until it is completed.
- Let your child be proud! Have him or her read the pages/book to family and friends!
You might also want to read...
~ The book called The Late Talker.
~ Annette {This Simple Mom}
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing an item through a link, I will earn a small percentage. Thank you!
I know you've given ME hope in the past when I wasn't sure WHAT to think of speech problems and delays. So I'm glad you are re-sharing the information here and now.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this. Oue school district wont give my daughter therapy until next school year. .. This has helped me cope as well as given me ideas for treatment.
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