How to Create a Communication-Friendly Home (Without Extra Work)
Children with delayed speech or language development require consistent support and encouragement from their parents and those around them. They require a unique approach, focusing on natural language development through everyday moments.
But how can parents support their children when they are busy and tired at home or work? How can they integrate communication strategies when they hardly have enough time left in their busy schedules?
The key to supporting a child with communication issues is to build a home or an environment that supports them. It doesn't have to be too complicated or time-consuming.
A communication-friendly home integrates communication strategies into a child's everyday routines. Parents can use simple techniques to enhance their child's communication without extra work, from breakfast conversations to playtime activities.
What Is a Communication-Friendly Home?
Creating a communication-friendly home involves building an environment where a child feels happy and ready to communicate. It's a home where a child can learn to express what they want and think through daily routines (eating, playing, doing homework, helping with chores, etc.).
In a communication-friendly home, parents and caregivers integrate natural communication strategies into their child's daily routines.
For instance, instead of simply preparing breakfast, they can sing songs or play games with their child to encourage them to engage in communication.
Before sleeping, parents can read stories or ask their child about their day, another opportunity to develop their communication process. A communication-friendly home is not about having more time; it's about having the right tools. It's about utilising existing routines and transforming them into meaningful activities.
V-Well's Parent-Powered Communication Approach is the core of our mobile speech pathologist services. We believe that equipping parents with the strategies and confidence can prepare them to create a communication–friendly home. Our clinicians work closely with the family to build homes that encourage children to express themselves freely and naturally.
Use the Routines You Already Have
A communication-friendly home supports your child's communication progress through daily, familiar routines. Here are some examples:
Mealtime Chats
Let the family gather during mealtime instead of having your child engage in a solo activity. Every family member can help support your child through fun activities, encouragement, and meaningful interactions.
For instance, you can label foods using simple sticky notes and let family members read before consuming them. You can put a sticky note that says "MILK" on a glass of milk and read it before you drink. You can place a note on an apple and let your child read it before eating.
Let everyone describe the food using simple words.
For instance, a slice of chocolate cake could be "brown," "triangular," or "delicious," while spaghetti could be "long," "red," and "tasty."
Bath Time
Bath time is a great time to interact closely with your child. Describe actions to them, such as splashing, washing, or pouring. Let them bathe with their toys and ask them to identify colours and shapes. For example, a rubber ducky is "yellow" and "small," while a toy pail could be "orange" and "big."
Getting Dressed
Guide your child in deciding which clothes to wear. A rainy, cold day calls for a jacket and boots. Let them decide which jacket they want to wear and which pair they prefer. As they get dressed, talk about the steps. Let them enumerate the steps, such as "Slip one arm in your jacket and then the other." "Button the jacket from top to bottom."
School Drop-Off or Car Rides
Even school drop-offs and quick car rides can be meaningful moments to encourage communication. You can play "I spy with my little eye" as you drive them to school, or you can pretend you forgot how to get to school.
Let them tell you how to get there to encourage their communication and problem-solving skills. Even turning the radio on and singing familiar songs can make car rides more fun and encouraging.
Remember, keep activities casual and relaxed. There's no pressure to teach; just let your child open up and communicate.
Make Your Home "Language-Rich" Without Overhauling It
Consider these simple techniques to turn your home into a language-rich environment for your child:
Label Items at Home
You can still help your child become familiar with everyday things at home, even when you're not around. Labelling items is one way to do this. If you use toy baskets or boxes to segregate your child's toys, label them so they know where to find the toy they want to play with. Place labels that say "Stuffed Animals" or "Legos" and instruct them to read the label first before pulling out a toy.
Place labels on kitchen or pantry items, especially on those that children use daily. Label food inside the refrigerator so children can learn how to read and spell different items. Add a new word every week to increase their vocabulary.
Use Visual Cues
Children are visual learners. They tend to observe their surroundings and the people around them for context. To reinforce this, use visual cues such as charts or figures to guide them and help them express themselves.
For example, you can use a chart to enforce routines and chores, allowing your kids to track their daily or weekly assignments. To help a school-age child understand the importance of tidying their room, consider using a sticker or an image of a child cleaning their room. Next week, a sticker of a broom tells your child that it's their time to sweep the floor.
Emotion cards are also great tools for helping your child express themselves. Use cards with happy, sad, angry, worried, or surprised faces when you want to encourage them to express their emotions.
For example, a child may pick a worried face if they feel anxious about going to school or an angry face if they feel irritated toward a sibling.
Choose Books and Toys That Spark Conversation
Books and toys are excellent tools for encouraging conversation. Choose storybooks with colourful pictures and large fonts. Interactive books with pull-out pages, moving images, or fun activities can also spark conversation and fun.
Toys that allow kids to stretch their imaginations are great tools for starting communication. Let them play with miniature farms, towns, grocery stores, race tracks, and zoos. Let them play with siblings and classmates; encourage playdates and field trips to help your child communicate and express their feelings to others.
Talk Less For Them, More With Them
A communication-friendly home is also about guiding your child in everyday conversations. It's about talking less on their behalf and more about talking together with them. Here are some ways to do it:
Give your child time to respond
Your child won't respond right away. There may be moments of silence, and a lot of coaxing may not help at all.
For example, when asking family members about their thoughts on the food during breakfast, your child may seem hesitant to speak up first. Let others answer first, and go back to ask for his opinion. It may take one, two, or more tries, but remain patient, and eventually, your child will join in.
Expand on what they say
When you ask them what they see in the picture book during storytime, and they reply "car," say, "Yes! It's a big, red car!" When they say "eat" to express hunger, say, "Yes! What do you want to eat?" Expanding on what they say can help children express their needs and encourage them to communicate more.
Model, repeat, and invite
Follow and repeat these simple communication strategies every day. Invite siblings and other family members to join in. Avoid quizzing your child or putting them on the spot by asking questions that will only make them anxious. Communicate openly and naturally to ensure lasting results.
You're Already Doing More Than You Think
You may already be using these communication strategies at home without realising it. Remember, as parents, you are the centre of your child's world. They will always look up to you, especially when they need help communicating and articulating their thoughts and feelings.
This is why we believe real progress happens at home, in the hands of confident and well-supported parents and caregivers. Together with our expert clinicians, we can help build a communication-friendly home for every child.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need special toys to help my child talk?
You don't need special toys to help your child talk. Instead, communicate with your child naturally and insert simple conversation activities into their daily routines to encourage them to talk.
2. What if my child isn't talking yet—should I still do these things?
You may start building a communication-friendly home by conversing with them naturally, playing with them, and using simple communication tools, even when they are not yet talking.
3. How much should I be talking during playtime?
During playtime, strike a balance between conversing with your child and waiting for their response. Give them time to mimic words and sounds and to express themselves.
4. Should I correct my child's grammar or speech mistakes?
While your child is still learning to talk, it is best to avoid correcting their grammar and speech mistakes and instead focus on encouraging them to speak and express themselves.
5. What if I feel unsure about how to help?
Consult a professional speech therapist if you're unsure how to encourage your child to develop their speech.
