Information for parents

Every child develops at their own pace. Here you will find general information about speech development and a few ideas on how to support communication at home.

How to support speech at home

Talk with your child often and describe in simple words what you are doing together.

Read together every day and talk about the pictures in the book.

Give your child time to answer, without interrupting and without finishing their words for them.

When your child says something incorrectly, repeat it back correctly instead of correcting them. For example, if your child says ‘ater’, reply: ‘Yes, water. Would you like some water?’

Sing songs and say rhymes together. Rhythm and repetition make words easier to remember.

Set aside time for playing and talking together without screens.

When a consultation with a speech and language therapist may help

If you have concerns about your child’s speech or communication, it is a good idea to discuss them with a specialist.

Reasons for a consultation might include, for example:

your child speaks significantly less than other children of the same age;
people outside the family find them hard to understand;
they have difficulty understanding simple instructions;
they stumble over or repeat syllables and words, and this bothers them;
parents or teachers notice a difficulty that persists.

Discussing your questions early brings the family peace of mind and makes it possible to judge whether support is needed.

The information on this page is general in nature. It is not medical advice and does not replace an individual consultation with a specialist.

Frequently asked questions