Creating Communication Opportunities
Every moment of your day offers opportunities to support your child's communication development. The key is recognizing these moments and making small adjustments to encourage communication.
Remember
Communication happens throughout the day - from morning routines to bedtime stories. Small, consistent changes can make a big difference.
Daily Routine Strategies
Morning Routines
Offer choices during breakfast: "Do you want cereal or toast?"
Use visual schedules to help your child request activities
Practice greetings with family members
Playtime Communication
Follow your child's lead in play activities
Use descriptive language about what they're doing
Create opportunities for requesting by keeping preferred items visible but out of reach
Environmental Modifications
Simple changes to your home environment can encourage communication:
Snack Setup
Place favorite snacks in clear containers that require help to open
Toy Organization
Keep toys in see-through bins on higher shelves
Visual Supports
Use picture cards or communication apps
Responding to Communication Attempts
How you respond to your child's communication attempts is crucial for their continued growth:
Acknowledge All Attempts
Recognize every communication effort, even if it's not perfect
Model Correct Response
Show the right way while honoring their intent
Allow Processing Time
Give them time to think and respond
Celebrate Success
Show enthusiasm for successful communication
When to Seek Professional Support
Consider professional speech-language therapy if your child shows any of these signs:
Communication Challenges
- • Shows significant delays in reaching communication milestones
- • Has difficulty with social communication skills
- • Demonstrates frustration when trying to communicate
Professional Intervention
- • Would benefit from specialized communication devices
- • Needs structured communication strategies
- • Requires assessment for developmental supports
Ready for Support?
Our communication specialists can help develop personalized strategies for your family's unique needs.
Schedule Assessment →