How to help me teach my daughter to talk better

Mary Lou - posted on 10/01/2009

Starfall.com is what i used to teach my 4 yr old but i had to sit there with him and repeat what was said clearly.

Tarra - posted on 10/01/2009

Im sure this is a repeat question, Have you had her ears checked. My daughter has a hard time saying some words. We just thought it was cute at first then noticed that she was having a hard time hearing somethings. Needless to say she is hearing way below normal and will have tubes put in her ears soon. This we were told should help a lot. I hope this helps at all and isn't a repeat of someone elses advice.

Jennifer - posted on 10/01/2009

I agree with repeating things that she does say. And also, if anyone is speaking for her or cutting her off that wont help ither. Like bad behavior, speech is learned and usually is completely developed by 4 or 5 years of age, but sometimes some children just don't get it, there is usually a reason for it though. Have you had her ears checked? A lot of times kids wont speak well because they're not hearing it well. I encourage, reading to her a lot, talking, and then have her repeat things that you say...easy words of course.
Good Luck!

Darci - posted on 09/29/2009

I think I've read somewhere that it is good to repeat what your child says. For example, my 3-year old daughter went through a stage when she would use the word "to" instead of "for" - "I want that Princess dress to Christmas." I would then immediately reply with the same excitement in my voice as she had and as a way of clarifying: "You want that Princess dress for Christmas?" Your daughter may not speak very well because you already know what she wants... act a little bit like you have no clue and repeat what she says enunciating very clearly. The repetition is good for her.

Also read, read, read to her. I have noticed that with my children (I have 3 under the age of 4) reading has helped them with their speaking... and I am stirring in them a lifelong love of reading too. We usually check out at least 15 books from the library each week, and many of them we read multiple times. My 3-year old was quite funny the other day. We were driving through a small nearby town, and she said, "Mom, there's the Eiffel Tower." And, I said, "Yes, there it is." It was a radio tower. Then, I asked her where she learned about the Eiffel tower... thinking it may have been a "Fancy Nancy" book, but she proceeded to tell me that she learned about the Eiffel Tower in a Dora the Explorer book. I was impressed.

I would also say that playgroup or preschool would be a good language builder too, but other moms have suggested that. My 3-year old daughter started preschool (on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings for 3 hours) this fall, and her vocabulary has sure grown in the last month. It's sure been fun!

Naomi - posted on 09/29/2009

When my now 4yr old started to say a few words we starting teaching her to use baby sign language. You can Google "baby sign language" and find a few pictures. The other thing we found helpful was taking her to play group (when she was almost 3) to socialise with other kids. Her speech really picked up once we started play group. We were also told to speak to her as though she was an adult (no baby cooing or baby words) this also helped us. Hope these suggestions help. :)

Melissa - posted on 09/29/2009

Quoting Heidi:

Practice with her lots. We are taking our 5 year old to a speech therapists. It is slow but we see improvement.

Is there any type of book's that I should have to help her learn?

Heidi - posted on 09/24/2009

Practice with her lots. We are taking our 5 year old to a speech therapists. It is slow but we see improvement.

Kizzma - posted on 09/24/2009

Does you daughter stay home or does she go to moms day out or anything? That can make a big differance. My daughter is 3 and has started a moms day out this month and well she understands everything and can talk we understand her but I noticeed the kids in her class talk alot better then her but that is because she has always been home with me. As long as your daughter is aware dont worry.