7 tips for talking with your child

Experts agree that most children who stutter benefit from taking time to speak at a rate that promotes fluency. These guidelines represent a number of ways that adults around that child can help promote the child’s fluency.

1. Reduce the pace. Speak with your child in an unhurried way, pausing frequently. Wait a few seconds after your child finishes before you begin to speak. Your own easy relaxed speech will be far more effective than any advice such as “slow down” or “try it again slowly. For some children, it is also helpful to introduce a more relaxed pace of life for a while.

2. Full listening. Try to increase those times that you give your child your undivided attention and are really listening. This does not mean dropping everything every time she speaks.

3. Asking questions. Asking questions is a normal part of life – but try to resist asking one after the other. Sometimes it is more helpful to comment on what your child has said and wait.

4. Turn taking. Help all members of the family take turns talking and listening. Children find it much easier to talk when there are fewer interruptions.

5. Building confidence. Use descriptive praise to build confidence. An example would be “I like the way you picked up your toys. You’re so helpful,” instead of “that’s great.” Praise strengths unrelated to talking as well such as athletic skills, being organized, independent, or careful.

6. Special times. Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day when you can give your undivided attention to your child. This quiet calm time – no TV, iPad or phones - can be a confidence builder for young children. As little as five minutes a day can make a difference.

7. Normal rules apply. Discipline the child who stutters just as you do your other children and just as you would if he didn’t stutter

Babies like it when you

• Get down to their level so they can see your face. This tells them that you're interested in what they're doing and saying. It makes it easier to interact with you.
• Repeat the sounds they make. Babies enjoy making noises, and like it when you imitate them over and over.
• Sing and laugh, especially when you are feeding, bathing, and changing them. Remember to talk to your baby throughout the day about things you do and see - "Mommy's putting on her coat", "That's a big truck"
• Tell them the names of the objects they are looking at and playing with. Babies are interested in exploring and learning about new things, and like to hear what things are called.

Toddlers like it when you

• Let them touch and hold books while you point to and name the pictures.
• Use real words instead to baby talk - "give me" instead of ta ta or "water" instead of wawa.
• Take the time to listen to them - they want you to hear all of their new sounds, words and ideas.
• Give them simple directions to follow - "Go find your red boots".
• Use lots of different words when you talk to them - opposite words like up/down, in/out; action words like "running", "splashing", and descriptive words like "happy", "big", "little", "clean", "dirty".
• Encourage them to play with other children - at the library, play grounds, parks.

Three-year-olds like it when you

• Give them different materials to encourage drawings and scribbling, including chalk, pencils, crayons, markers, finger paints.
• Use descriptive words such as colours and opposites (hot/cold, big/little, fast/slow) as well as action words (flying, splashing, running) when you are talking with them.
• Give them extra time to share their ideas. - Give them choices - about what foods to eat, toys to play with, clothes to wear.
• Model correct sounds and grammar for them - child says "he wunned" and you say "yes, he ran".
• Read books that are predictable and repetitive - pause to give the child a chance to fill in the words and phrases.
• Play and pretend with them! They may like acting out scenes from their favorite videos, pretending to eat in a restaurant or to be a teacher or firefighter.

Four-year-olds like it when you

• Give them lots of opportunities to play with other children - at the library, the park, the Early Years Centre. Sometimes they like having just one or two friends over to your home to play.
• Point out words in books and run your finger under words while you read to them.
• Talk about the order of events - describe what happens first, next and last - "first we wash our hands, then we have a snack and last we put our dishes in the sink".
• Encourage them to tell their own stories - by asking them to tell you about their day, to describe a movie they watched, to tell you about their favourite book.
• Read books with rhyming words - "mouse/house", and point out sounds at the start of words - "Mommy starts with the 'mmm' sound - that's the letter M".

Five-year-olds like it when you

• Use new and more complex words - "before/after", "rough/smooth", "easy/difficult", "between/beside", "same/different".
• Talk about numbers and the quantity of objects -"a lot/ a little", "more/less", "one/many".
• Ask them to predict what will happen next - "What do you think will happen when Sam opens his birthday present?", and explain the reasons behind choices - "Why do we need to wear our coats today?"
• Take turns telling each other stories using the pictures in books - children like to hear you talk and then want a turn to create their own versions of the story.
• Let them help plan events. Talk about what you need to do before a birthday party, or how to get read to go to the zoo. Ask your child "why" and "how" questions as you talk.
• Ask them to help. Your child will enjoy helping you prepare a meal, set the table, sort laundry, etc. Give them instructions and see if they can tell you the steps.

Child Care

Parents seeking child care and information regarding child care can visit www.saultdaycare.ca or call 705-759-2273.

Early Years Centres/Best Start Hubs

Parents are encouraged to visit local Early Year Centres/Best Start Hubs in the community which offer social and play opportunities free or charge. Parents can obtain more information regarding locations and hours by visiting:

• Sault Ste. Marie locations website
• North Algoma locations website
• Blind River location website
• Elliot Lake location website

Parenting and Family Literacy Centres

Algoma District School Board houses Parenting and Family Literacy Centres at four of their Sault Ste. Marie schools. Throughout the school year, children ages newborn to six and their caregivers are invited to the centres to explore, play and learn together. The program is FREE, requires no pre-registration and runs every school day morning, Monday to Friday.

Locations:

Northern Heights Public School

210 Grand Blvd. 

Sault Ste, Marie, ON

Phone: 705-945-7128

HM Robbins Public School

83 East Balfour St.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Phone: 705-945-7119

River View Public School

51 Wireless Ave.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Phone: 705-945-7134

Pinewood Public School

3924 Queen St. E.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Phone: 705-945-7133

Library Programs

The local library program offers drop-ins and story times as well as special events for children throughout the year. Check your local library's website for more information.

• Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
• Elliot Lake Public Library
• Blind River Public Library
• Thessalon Public Library
• Wawa Public Library

18-24 Months

Language: Understanding

1. My child can point to body parts when named.
2. My child follows two step commands with gestures.
3. My child recognizes pictures of familiar objects/people.
4. My child looks at pictures in a book and listens to rhymes/stories.
5. My child continues to notice sounds (e.g. phone ringing, knocking at the door, television).

Language: Talking

1. My child at 18 months uses 20 words and at 24 months uses about 50 words.
2. My child uses two word sentences (e.g. "more juice").
3. My child uses pronouns like me, mine, my, you.
4. My child uses "not" or "no" with another word (e.g. no go).

Speech

1. My child's speech is easy to understand for me and others.
2. My child's voice sounds the same as others his age (e.g. not nasal or horse)
3. My child talks easily without repeating syllables or words.

Hearing

1. My child has healthy ears (i.e. no chronic ear infections).
2. My child can hear me when I'm talking to him/her.

All Yes: Your child seems to be developing speech and language normally.

1-2 No(s): Caution! Your child may be having some delays in speech and language development. Look at the suggestions under ‘Activities’ and consider contacting THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

3 or more No’s: ACT! Your child should be seen by a Speech & Language Pathologist. Contact THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

24-30 Months

Language: Understanding

1. My child understands prepositions: in, on, under.
2. My child understand concepts of "one" and "all".
3. My child listens to stories & answers simple questions.

Language: Talking

1. My child uses over 100 words. 
2. My child uses two or three word sentences (e.g. me do it).
3. My child often asks for or directs my attention to objects by naming them.
4. My child recites rhymes and songs.

Speech

1. My child's speech is easy to understand for me and others
2. My child's voice sounds the same as others his age (e.g. not nasal or hoarse).
3. My child talks easily without repeating syllables or words.

Hearing

1. My child has healthy ears (i.e. no chronic ear infections).
2. My child can hear me when I'm talking to him/her.

All Yes: Your child seems to be developing speech and language normally.

1-2 No(s): Caution! Your child may be having some delays in speech and language development. Look at the suggestions under ‘Activities’ and consider contacting THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

3 or more No’s: ACT! Your child should be seen by a Speech & Language Pathologist. Contact THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

30-36 Months

Language: Understanding

1. My child follows two and three step directions (e.g. put your hat on and grab your drink in the kitchen).
2. My child understands "what.... doing", "who?" and "do you...?" questions.

Language: Talking

1. My child uses plurals to indicate more than one object.
2. My child uses some adjectives (e.g. big, little, fast, slow).
3. My child has a vocabulary that is increasing dramatically.
4. My child uses words to relate observations, concepts, ideas and relationships.

Speech

1. My child's speech is easy to understand for me and others.
2. My child correctly says these sounds in words: m, p, b, n, h, w.
3. My child's voice sounds the same as other his age (e.g. not nasal or hoarse).
4. My child talks easily without repeating syllables or words.

Hearing

1. My child has healthy ears (i.e. no chronic ear infections).
2. My child can hear me when I'm talking to him/her.

All Yes: Your child seems to be developing speech and language normally.

1-2 No(s): Caution! Your child may be having some delays in speech and language development. Look at the suggestions under ‘Activities’ and consider contacting THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

3 or more No’s: ACT! Your child should be seen by a Speech & Language Pathologist. Contact THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

3-4 Years

Language: Understanding

1. My child follows directing involving two or more steps (e.g. get some paper and then draw a picture).
2. My child understands "who", "what", "where", & "why" questions.

Language: Talking

1. My child is beginning to ask "what" & "who" questions and constantly ask "why?".
2. My child uses 4-5 word sentences with adult-like grammar.
3. My child has short conversations with me and others.
4. My child can tell simple stories.

Speech

1. My child's speech is easy for me and others to understand.
2. My 3 year old uses the sounds: p, b, m, t, d, n, h, w OR My four year old uses those sounds as well as : k, g, ng & f when speaking.
3. My child's voice sounds the same as others his/her age (e.g. not nasal or hoarse).
4. My child talks easily without repeating syllables or words.

Hearing

1. My child has healthy ears (i.e. no chronic ear infections).
2. My child can hear me when I'm talking to him/her.

All Yes: Your child seems to be developing speech and language normally.

1-2 No(s): Caution! Your child may be having some delays in speech and language development. Look at the suggestions under ‘Activities’ and consider contacting THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.

3 or more No’s: ACT! Your child should be seen by a Speech & Language Pathologist. Contact THRIVE Child Development Centre at 705-759-1131 ext. 2 or toll free 1-855-759-1131. Members of the Garden River First Nation requiring services can contact the Garden River Wellness Centre at (705) 946-5710.