Home-based intervention to improve your child’s communication skills

This article is based on the video by Special Educator & Auditory Verbal Therapist Ms. Kim Chadda, where she helps find ways to improve a child’s communication skills while engaging in everyday chores around the house.

This video is part of a parent empowerment series by Nayi DIsha.

How can I improve my child’s communication skills at home?

It is important to remember that communication need not necessarily be through speech and language only. 

When the child is very young they communicate through several different ways like using gestures, reaching out to touch, waving and other non verbal movements.

However, in order to encourage a child to use verbal language , it is important to observe for cues in which the parent can participate in meaningful communication through the child’s activities. 

Everyday activities like feeding, dressing, bathing, playing, etc. provide ample opportunity for the parent to communicate with the child. The child can learn new words, the different steps involved in the activity.

It is beneficial to use these repetitive tasks as means to help build a child’s language, memory, cognitive abilities and social communication skills.

Play is another way to engage the child in communication. Sand play, water play or while playing at the park, the child can constantly see, learn and speak new words.

It is however important to remember that while it is essential to remind the child to wear his recommended hearing aids or cochlear implants, it is equally crucial to respect and allow the child to be who they are.

Talking to the child while doing household errands like cleaning, fixing something or even outside the home environment like going to the shop etc. will also help the child understand their surroundings and learn and use their vocabulary for new and different things around them.

Using books is another way to encourage a child’s communication skills. Reading to the child at fixed times like meal times or bedtimes can help expose the child to new words with meaning and enhance their vocabulary. 

Check this video too on Tips to develop listening skills in your child.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for safe management.