As a parent, it can be frustrating and troublesome when your toddler’s speaking skills seem to be delayed. It’s even more frustrating to see that the COVID-19 pandemic may be largely responsible for disrupting their learning and development. However, there are many ways that you can use kids’ books to help your toddler catch up and further develop their speaking skills. Here are three strategies that may be helpful:
- Read with your toddler daily and encourage them to engage in the reading.
By reading with your toddler and asking them to point to pictures, say the names of objects or characters, or repeat phrases from the book, you can help them build their vocabulary and improve their speaking skills and confidence.
- Encourage your child to talk about the kids’ book plot, setting, and the characters. As you read, ask your toddler open-ended questions to encourage them to think and share their thoughts. You can use questions like: "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think the character is feeling?" This can help your child learn to express themselves more clearly.
- Use the kids’ book for further conversation and language development.
After reading the kids’ book, shut the book and ask your toddler to describe a character or scene in detail, or have them tell you the story using their own words. This can help your toddler practice using language in a variety of ways and improve confidence in their speaking skills.
It's important to remember that every toddler is different, and it may take some time for them to catch up on speaking skills – even those that have been delayed due to COVID-19. Be patient and provide plenty of positive encouragement. With patience, persistence, and the right tools, you can help your child become a confident and articulate speaker.
Want more reading with your toddlers help? Let me know!