Language and Speech

I feel prompted to write this because of all the babies I see trying to learn to talk around a pacifier*.
It does not work.


I took elocution lessons growing up and I can see many areas where it has helped me.  Not only being able to speak in front of people but also the ability to get a message across with clarity and understanding.
Pronunciation and wordage is important in this society even though it is being used less and less correctly.  When children are around 15 months they should, on the average, have at least 15 words that they are using properly.  I've seen children who have a whole vocabulary at this age and others who are still making more noise than anything else.
As parents we need to be aware of this.  Our ears often become accustomed to our child's language  as we understand them and thus do not correct them on their words.   Start today to listen afresh as to how your little one is talking.  Is he/she speaking clearly?  If not take them on your lap and have them look at your mouth as you speak the words and then have them repeat.  Pick one or two words a day to work on by asking them thru-out their play time how to say certain things.  
A tape recorder is good for this as well where you can make a tape of words that they can repeat after you.  This is also a great time to begin to use flash cards teaching colors, shapes etc.   Introduce a new card or two after they have the first 4-5 memorized.


This really is important.  The earlier that you catch and work on these language skills the better.  The older the child the harder to break the habits of incorrect speech.   
I also believe it is best  not to teach a toddler  any other language until he has a good grasp of the English language*   It is just too confusing for little minds to decipher between all the words and meanings at such a young age.
*Personally I feel the pacifier should be gone at 2 and between the ages of 1 and 2 should be kept in the crib for nap times alone.  It is like anything else.  You just need to put your mind to it, spend the couple of uncomfortable days and rid the house of them.  Perhaps you could replace it with a small new stuffed animal or something to lessen the "sting" of the ajustment. 
* If the family is bilingual the child should just do fine as he hears both languages being spoken interchangeably.


Blessings!