If you are wondering what to do while waiting for speech language therapy services at The Language Clinic, please know that as a talking, reading and writing adult, you possess all the basic tools to help your child.
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Preschool
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Speak your mother tongue, all the time, inside and outside the house. Your only responsibility is your mother tongue. This is the solid foundation your child needs in order to add more languages to his/her repertoire (i.e. English, French, etc.).
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Remember! You can't teach a child to talk. Learning to talk happens in communication contexts where language is useful. Focus on what attracts your child's attention and lend him/her your words.
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If you want your child to repeat.... repeat, repeat, repeat yourself! Your child will only repeat when he/she is ready to use those words. In order for him/her to get to that stage, you must repeat, repeat, repeat!
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Reduce screen-time or eliminate it entirely. Some specialists recommend avoiding all screens until children are 6 years old. Research demonstrates the negative impact of screens on language development. Interaction with humans is what activates the brain's language areas. Replace screen-time with free play, play-dates with children who have a beautiful command of the language as well as audiobooks.
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Maintain a bedtime story routine where the adult does the reading and the child does the listening.
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Elementary school
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Speak your mother tongue, all the time, inside and outside the house. Your only responsibility is your mother tongue. This is the solid foundation your child needs in order to add more languages to his/her repertoire (i.e. English, French, etc.).
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Help your child with their homework. Read and explain the questions and instructions. Write the answers you compose together right beside him/her. If you ask questions your child can't answer, you're testing him/her. Homework should be a time for effective training: read and write alongside your child.
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Reduce screen time. Research demonstrates the negative impact of screens on children's sleep, attention and grades at school. Replace screen-time with free play, sports, playdates with with children who have a beautiful command of the language as well as audiobooks.
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Maintain a bedtime story routine where the adult does the reading and the child does the listening. Until your child has learned to enjoy reading it's still up to you to do the reading and to provide him or her with tempting reading materials. Here, audiobooks are also an excellent option.
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High school
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Help your teen with homework as needed. Read and explain the questions and instructions. Write the answers you compose together beside him/her. In truth, we learn better when we work together. Additionally you can provide a valuable model for effective study strategies. Read your teen's obligatory reading books to him. Discuss them with him. Or, find the audio version.
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Reduce screen time. Research demonstrates the negative impact of screen-time on sleep, attention and grades at school. Instead, encourage sports, socializing with peers, and audiobooks.
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Maintain an evening reading routine whereby the adult does the reading and the teen does the listening. Until your tenn has learned to enjoy reading it's still up to you to do the reading and to provide him or her with tempting reading materials. Here, audiobooks are also an excellent option.
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