How Can You Improve Fluent Speech?

Between the ages of two and six, there is an explosion in a child’s vocabulary. And in some cases, this can cause certain problems when it comes to speech. That is why we now want to offer advice on how to improve dysfluency.

When children start to develop language, we need to guide them as much as possible and facilitate communication. By doing so, we can avoid or at least minimize this kind of problem. With that in mind, the following article will tell you what to do – and what not to do – when it comes to slurred speech.

How can you improve disfluent speech?

When children begin the process of language acquisition, some may show various difficulties. For example, they may become silent, start to stutter, have difficulty pronouncing certain syllables, etc. And all these things make it difficult for them to speak. Many parents are not sure how to react in these cases, so we want to give some advice.

It is important to be consistent and continue to follow the following suggestions over time, both at home and at school. Gradually, little ones will adapt their language to what they see and hear in their environment. And since teachers spend a lot of time with our children, it is important that parents and teachers work in the same direction.

Tips for Improving Speech Diffuse in Children

• Let children express their ideas without interrupting them.
• Pay attention to what children say, rather than just focusing on how they say it.
• Don’t worry about the way kids talk. When children notice that their parents are concerned, they immediately notice that something is wrong.

• Keep eye contact when children are talking to you.
• Don’t try to express what kids are saying by finishing their sentences for them. Rather let them express themselves in their own words.
• Respond slowly and clearly when children have finished talking. Use some terms that they themselves used to explain their idea.
• If you’re doing something that requires concentration and you can’t watch your child, let him know. Tell him or her that even though you can’t watch right now, you’re still listening and paying attention.

What not to do to reduce this speech disorder

There are many things you can do to minimize speech impairment in children. But now we want to see what not to do.

1. Don’t finish their sentences for them

Never try to guess what children are going to say or finish their sentences for them. If you do, you’re only discouraging them from talking.

2. Don’t interrupt them when they are talking

Make sure to wait your turn and let kids finish what they say. That way, when they’re done talking, it’s your turn to talk. It is important to work on this and set a good example for your children. They have less self-control than adults and must learn to be patient and respectful when others are speaking.

3. Don’t always correct their fluent speech

Don’t criticize the way children talk or the way they pronounce certain words or sounds. If you do, they will only become more aware of their own difficulties and get stuck when it comes time to utter those words and sounds that are difficult for them.

4. Don’t rush children when expressing their ideas

Often, without noticing, we send the message to our children that we get impatient when they finish talking. We can do this even without speaking, through our facial expressions and body language. So we have to be careful – not only with what we say, but also with our gestures.

5. Don’t constantly push your child with fluent speech to speak quickly and clearly

All children are different and have their own pace. Therefore, every child needs time to organize and express his or her ideas. If you encourage children to speak quickly, they often fall silent and get stuck with their words and what they are trying to say.

6. Don’t talk too fast

If you want your kids to talk slowly and gently, don’t use a fast pace when you talk yourself. As we mentioned, parents are role models when it comes to language and speech. So children will try to imitate the way you speak.

7. Don’t force children to talk out loud in front of friends, relatives, neighbors, etc

If your child suffers from fluent speech, don’t force him to speak or express his ideas in front of other people. Doing so will only accentuate the problem and make your child even more aware of his or her difficulties.

Final Thoughts on Dysfluent Speech

These are some of the things to keep in mind when it comes to improving speech. However, if the problems persist or if you don’t notice any improvement, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional. He or she can perform a thorough evaluation and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.