Early Intervention Helps Toddlers Communicate
People are social beings. We want to interact with others and make meaningful relationships. We communicate to feel a sense of belonging and connection to the world around us.
Babies begin to communicate before birth as they stretch and roll in the womb. After they are born, infants express their feelings to others by crying, with gestures, and through facial expressions.
These early forms of communication typically lead to speech-like sounds, followed by words and then short sentences that increase in length over time. But many young children, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, are non-verbal. The expert speech language pathologists at teli help these toddlers and their adults learn other ways to communicate.
3 Ways to Help Your Toddler Communicate
• Picture Exchange – Posting pictures of common items low on a wall, on the lid of a box, or on magnets on the refrigerator gives little ones the opportunity to ask for what they want by pointing, or removing and handing.
• Gesturing – Pointing, waving, clapping, blowing kisses, and giving high-fives help kids share what they are feeling and react to communication from others.
• Sign Language – Simple signs children can do, that parents and caregivers understand, encourage them to express what they need and want, which builds independence.
Communicating and Connecting
All forms of communication are important, valid, and should be respected. Effective communication increases a child’s confidence and also reduces frustration, leading to the next step – having fun together! And when kids play, they learn.
You can select your early intervention provider – choose teli. Learn more today about the early intervention speech therapy services our experts provide at no cost to families.
Did you know? teli is an affiliate of The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. Read more here.
