Monday, June 13, 2011

Helping Your Child's Fluency

If your child is showing some dysfluency (repeating sounds, words, phrases) that has lasted less than six months, there are ways to use a communication style that helps model and support more fluent speech.
1) Try to model slower and more relaxed speech for the child. You obviously want your speech to not be so slow that it seems abnormal, but speaking more slowing to your child should help reduce the feeling that he/she needs to speak quickly . Mr. Rogers from television is a good example of a relaxed speaking pace.
2) Setting aside some one on one time with a parent helps reduce a child's feeling that he/she needs to speak quickly to compete with siblings.
3) When a child asks you a question, add a brief pause before you answer, again to model a less hurried communication style.
4) Try not to be impatient if your child is repeating words and phrases - it is typically a sign that he or she is trying to manage a new surge in learning. Your patience will help your child work through this phase.

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