It goes without saying that parents want their children to be able to communicate their wants, needs, and thoughts effectively. Unfortunately, some children have a difficult time finding the words to express themselves. If your child is having trouble communicating, there are several things you can do as a parent to help them articulate themselves better.

 

1. Encourage Them to Read Often

 

One of the best ways to help your child learn how to articulate themselves better is by encouraging them to read often. When children read, they are exposed to a plethora of new vocabulary words that they can incorporate into their own speech. Furthermore, reading aloud will help your child learn how to properly pronounce words and string sentences together correctly. Aim to have your child read for at least 20 minutes every day.

 

2. Get an Articulation Book for Children

 

Aside from general fiction books, an articulation book specifically designed for children is a great resource that can help teach them how to pronounce different words correctly. Articulation books for children usually come with picture cards that show what position the mouth should be in for each sound (e.g., /k/ vs /g/). These books are especially helpful for children who are reluctant readers because they provide a fun and interactive way for kids to learn new vocabulary words without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

 

3. Listen More Than You Talk

 

It’s important that you listen more than you talk so that your child feels heard and validated. Oftentimes, children just need someone to listen to them without interruption or judgement in order to feel better understood. So the next time your child comes to you with a problem, take a step back and let them talk it out before offering any advice or solutions.

 

4. Talk About Emotions

 

One way to help your child express themselves better is by talking about emotions - both positive and negative ones. Start by labelling emotions when you feel them yourself so that your child can begin to understand and process them too. For example, “I’m feeling frustrated right now because I can’t seem to find my keys anywhere”.

 

You can also ask your child how they’re feeling throughout the day so that they can start identifying their emotions as well. Talking about emotions will empower your child and give them the tools they need to express themselves more effectively when they’re feeling overwhelmed or upset.

 

5. Use Simple Sentences

 

When speaking with your child, use simple sentences that are easy for them to understand. This will prevent frustration on both ends and will make communication smoother overall. In addition, using shorter sentences will also help capture your child’s attention span so that they are less likely to tune out what you’re saying altogether.

 

Try these tips and see if they yield results

 

Being able to communicate effectively is an important skill for children to learn as they grow up. If your child is having trouble expressing themselves, try implementing these five tips into your parenting routine - encourage them to read often, listen more than you talk, discuss emotions, use simple sentences, and invest in some articulation books for your child. With a little bit of effort, you can help to equip your child with the tools they need to build strong communication skills that will serve them well throughout their lifetime.