Speech development isn’t just important for your child’s cognitive and social skills. Their verbal IQ will affect their intellectual development, academic performance, and mathematical reasoning.
Can you tell if your child is struggling with speech? You might notice that they’re shy about using language, struggling to form words, or seem frustrated when interacting with other people.
These are all signs that they could benefit from speech therapy.
Make an appointment with a speech-language pathologist to get your child the attention they need. Here are the benefits of speech therapy for babies and toddlers.
Improving Communication
Speech therapy can help a baby or toddler to learn how to communicate better by teaching them how to produce verbal sounds, how to understand and interpret language, and helping them to express their thoughts and feelings.
In addition, speech therapists can also teach infants and toddlers to use sign language, helping them express themselves before they are able to articulate their thoughts verbally.
Improving Intelligibility
Speech therapists provide personalized interactive activities with the child and parent, which help build the child’s ability to communicate successfully and early on. Specific articulation and language skills are targeted specifically, which trains children to learn and use appropriate speech sounds and language structures, making it easier to understand.
Oral motor exercises are also helpful in strengthening and training the child’s muscles in the mouth, face, and tongue for correct speech production. Speech therapy is also beneficial for all ages, as it teaches children the skills to put thoughts into words and helps them become better listeners. Click for Alta Pediatrics to start speech therapy for toddlers.
Improving Understanding
When it comes to improving understanding, speech therapy for babies and toddlers can be incredibly beneficial. It helps them to learn about the meanings of words, learn the basics of communication, and develop language and communication skills.
It can also help toddlers understand the emotions behind what people are saying, teach them to understand the context of conversations and provide tools to help them navigate social situations. By learning how to communicate effectively, these toddlers can better express their thoughts and feelings, communicate with peers, and better form relationships.
Improving Social Skills
Speech therapy for babies and toddlers offers many benefits, particularly when it comes to improving social skills. Speech therapy helps children develop better communication skills, such as the ability to listen to directions, engage in conversation and understand language.
With these developmental building blocks, children are more confident in their interactions with others, allowing them to build trusting relationships with their families, peers, and caregivers. Through games and other activities, kids learn how to interact properly with others, take turns, and share, as well as how to express their feelings in appropriate ways.
All About Speech Therapy for Babies
Speech therapy for babies can be a tremendous help in seeking assistance with their speech development. Babies and toddlers can benefit from improved pronunciation, language fluency, and reduction of stuttering.
Response to these therapies is often quick when completed early. Don’t wait any longer and let your child receive the care they need and deserve – contact a Speech Therapist today!
