Late Talkers: How to help your child
Typical Language Development
Please watch the video below to find out more about typical language development in children.
Special Times
It can be difficult to remember to use all the strategies below all the time so we suggest setting up a ‘Special Time’.
Special time is:
- A time for you and your child to play together and should ideally happen for 5-10 minutes everyday.
- A time when your child can choose the activity and is in control of how they play within that activity.
- Your child's special time with you, so try to use a room / area where you won’t be disturbed.
- In the language you feel most comfortable in, you don’t have to do your special times in English.
Set up a daily special time with your child, pick at least one strategy from those below to focus on and have a go! You can use our Special Times Record Sheet.pdf [pdf] 10KB to record your Special Times.
Here's further information about how to set-up your Special Time: Special Times Explanation Sheet.pdf [pdf] 350KB
Strategy 1: Following your child's lead
Please see the video below and read our Following your child's lead explanation sheet.pdf [pdf] 270KB
Strategy 2: Asking Fewer Questions
Please see the video below and read our Asking fewer questions explanation sheet.pdf [pdf] 255KB
Strategy 3: Commenting
Please see the video below and our Commenting explanation sheet.pdf [pdf] 311KB
Strategy 4: Adding on a word
Repeat what your child says and add one or two words to make the sentence longer. This will help extend your child’s vocabulary and show them how to join words together. For example:
When a child says…. |
You can say… |
‘uh’ and shows you hands |
‘Hands’ |
‘Hands’ |
‘Wash hands’ |
‘Wash hands’ |
‘You’re washing your hands’ |
‘Wash hands soap’ |
‘Yes, you’re washing your hands with soap’ |
For further information read our Adding on a word explanation sheet.pdf [pdf] 257KB
Additional ideas: Reading
Please watch the video below and read our Reading with your child information sheet.pdf [pdf] 125KB
Additional Videos
Please watch the videos below to see some of the strategies discussed above in real life examples. The videos are filmed from the child’s point of view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFMoAuDH4dM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVgCCWyutkc