Our daily routines – mealtimes, family chore time and bedtime – offer opportunities for caregivers and parents to connect with toddlers and preschoolers. But did you know they are also an opportunity to develop children’s speech and language skills?
“As pediatric speech-language pathologists, we know how important social interactions are in the development of speech, language and communication skills in infants, toddlers and preschoolers,” says Christina El Gazzar, professional practice leader, early childhood development speech and language services, Interior Health.
Life with infants, toddlers and preschoolers can be challenging, especially when it comes to mealtime, family chore time, bedtime and the in-between transitions throughout a day.
May is Speech and Hearing Month, and we’re sharing weekly tips on how to navigate the most common routines that families with young children regularly experience. We share tried-and-true strategies along with age-appropriate vocabulary to not only make routines painless, but to also support young children’s language growth, providing them with a strong foundation for school success.
“Routines are the scaffold in a young child’s life onto which we can attach simple strategies parents and caregivers can use to help grow their child’s speech and language skills. Good communication skills will, in turn, set them up for success in school and in life.”
Mealtime routines
Mealtimes are a great time to use language strategies because they typically happen three times a day. Caregivers have a regular time to focus and use language strategies, rather than having to remember to do them in amongst their busy routines.
You can encourage language development at the dining table by creating a welcoming environment, building a routine and smoothing transitions:
Chore time routines
Routine chores offer predictable expectations and exposure to similar language every time children engage in a task. When children know what to anticipate, it reinforces the language learning process.
Discover words and questions you can use while doing laundry, loading the dishwasher and taking care of other chores to help encourage speech and language development in young children.
Resources:
Bedtime routines
Try these 10-minute bedtime routines and activities that build speech and language skills, and help you connect with your child before bedtime:
Transition routines
Keep children focused, and set expectations as you move between tasks or physical areas, while developing speech and language skills:
Speech, language and communication support
Our infant, toddler and pre-schooler (0–5 years) speech-language clinics are located in several communities throughout the Interior Health region.
A doctor’s referral is not necessary for speech, language and communication support for your child, and you can reach out to us no matter how young your child is. Our speech-language pathologists:
- Help families plan approaches that work alongside other family priorities and obligations
- Train families and other caregivers how to help children learn better ways to talk
- Connect families to other supports
- Check children's progress on an ongoing basis
Contact us for more information about how to access these services.
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