Communicating with a child is one of the most pleasurable and
rewarding experiences for both parent and child. Children learn by
absorbing information through daily interactions and experiences
with other kids, adults, and the world.
Communicating With Your Child
As kids enter their school years, they become increasingly
independent, spending much of their days outside the home in school
and with peers. Talking with your child is essential to bonding, so
share ideas, opinions, and information.
Here are a few suggestions to aid communication:
- Make time to hear about the day's activities; be
sure your child sure knows you're actively interested
and listening carefully.
- Remember to talk
with
and listen to your kids, not
at
them.
- Ask questions that go beyond "yes" or
"no" answers to prompt more developed
conversation.
- Take advantage of time during car trips or standing in line
at the supermarket to talk with your child.
- Provide activities that offer opportunities to improve
communication skills, such as attending or engaging in sporting
and school events, talking about current events, and reading
stories that are slightly above your child's competency
level.
Vocabulary and Communication Patterns
As kids progress in school, their comprehension and use of
language will become more sophisticated. Usually, kids will
understand more vocabulary words and concepts than they may be able
to express. Your child should be able to engage in narrative
discourse and share ideas and opinions in clear speech.
If You Suspect a Problem
You should have ongoing communication with your child's
teacher about overall language skills and progress. Children with
language comprehension and usage problems are at risk for increased
academic difficulties.
A child who has a specific communication difficulty, such as
persistent
stuttering
or a lisp, should be referred to the school speech-language
pathologist (an expert who evaluates and treats speech and language
disorders). You should routinely communicate with the therapist
regarding the therapy goals, language activities to practice at
home, and your child's progress.
If your child's teacher suspects a language-based learning
disability, comprehensive testing will be necessary. This can
include a hearing test, psychoeducational assessment (standardized
testing to evaluate your child's learning style as well as
cognitive processes), and speech-language evaluation.
Typical Communication Problems
Problems in communication skills may include:
- hearing difficulties
- difficulty with attention or following complex directions in
the classroom
- difficulty retaining information
- poor vocabulary acquisition
- difficulties with grammar and syntax
- difficulties with organization of expressive language or with
narrative discourse
- difficulties with academic achievement, reading, and
writing
- unclear speech
- persistent stuttering or a lisp
- voice-quality abnormalities, such as a strained, hoarse
quality (may require a medical examination by an otolaryngologist
- an ear, nose, and throat specialist)
Medical professionals, such as speech pathologists, therapists,
and your doctor, can help your child overcome communication
problems.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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