Communicating with a child, from infancy onward, is one of the most rewarding experiences for both a child and a parent. Children learn by absorbing information through daily interactions and experiences with other children, adults and the world. And between the ages of 4 and 5, many children enter preschool or kindergarten programs, making language competency necessary for learning in the classroom.
Reading books, singing, playing word games and simply talking to your child will increase his vocabulary while providing increased opportunities to develop listening skills. Here are a few suggestions to improve your child’s communication skills:
• Help your child relate to books by selecting stories that mirror families like yours or people from your cultural or ethnic group.
• Keep books, magazines and other reading material where your child is able to reach them without help.
• Help your child create his or her own “This Is Me” or “This Is Our Family" album with photographs or mementos.
• Talk with your child about books or TV programs and videos that you watch together.
• Let your child see you reading and enjoying books.
As children gain mastery over language skills, they become more sophisticated in their conversational abilities. A child of 4 to 5 years can follow complex directions and enthusiastically talks about things that happen to her. She can make up stories, listen attentively to stories and retell stories.
If you suspect your child has a problem with hearing, language acquisition or speech clarity, call your child’s doctor. Communication problems among children in this age group include:
• hearing difficulties
• problems following complex directions
• difficulty with conversational interaction
• poor vocabulary acquisition
• difficulty learning preschool concepts, such as colors and counting
• stuttering
• difficulties with grammar and syntax
• unclear speech
Some children will outgrow these problems. For others, more intensive therapy may be needed. Medical professionals, such as speech pathologists, therapists or your child’s doctor, can help your child overcome these communication problems and thrive.
Adapted from KidsHealth.org