Look who's talking now!

Talking together is important

How does my baby develop language?

The Importance of Language

It's Never Too Early

Do you think your child may have a problem
with speech and language?

Call us if you need help!

Communication checklist

Preschool Hotline

Read, talk & sing with me often...
Because the first 6 years are important
To my speech and language development

Developed by Lisa Prokopowich, Speech - Language Pathologist, Children First Prince George

Talking together is important

Communication skills are extremely important to a child’s future well being.

Babies are born communicators.

They cry and fuss when they are tired, wet or hungry.
They coo and smile when they are happy.
When they are disinterested, they turn away or pout.

At first they don't realize that they are sending messages, but as parents and
caregivers respond they gradually understand the two-way street that is
communication. Mostly, humans talk together; it takes two to communicate.

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baby bond socializing

How does my baby develop language?

Language development begins at birth with a
baby's earliest communication with parents.
Newborn babies learn to respond to:

facial expressions

gestures

touch

sounds

words

At first, babies cry to communicate their needs.
But during the first few months they learn other
ways to get messages across, such as using
sounds and gestures. This nonverbal
communication is the foundation upon which
language develops.

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baby in bonnet

The Importance of Language

Language is important because
we use it to communicate with
other people, to read and write
and learn.
Without language a person cannot:

talk to others

understand what
they say

learn successfully

Children with language disorders are at risk for learning difficulties and for psychosocial
and behavioural problems.

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It's Never Too Early

It is never too early to expose your baby
to language.

Talk and sing to your baby as much as
possible during feeding, bathing,
changing and play.

look at books together

sing songs

make up rhymes

do finger plays

These are all important for language
development and will help your child
learn to read when he or she is older.

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Do you think your child may have a problem with
speech and language?

Discovering any problems early gives a child a better chance to learn
how to communicate successfully.

One reason for dealing with speech and language problems early is to better prepare your
child for success in school years. Research has shown that early development of language
is important for success at school -- for understanding the teacher and for learning to read,
write and do mathematics. Language is also important for social development.

No child is too young to receive services from a Speech and Language Pathologist. Even young children - under two years old - can be helped with speech and language development. Early treatment reduces the risk of social, educational and emotional challenges that often affect children with speech and language problems.

Over 10 per cent of preschool children in British Columbia have speech and language disorders. Early identification is important for these children, because they can
be helped.

A child who has difficulties can work with a speech-language pathologist (S-LP) who is specially trained to help people with communication problems.

If you think your child may have a problem with speech and language don't wait. Contact your local local speech-language pathologist right away. It's never too early to identify a problem and start getting help for your child.

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Remember...

Parents, trust your instincts and call us if you need help!...

In Prince George, BC, call: Prince George Child Development Centre (250) 563-7168, www.cdcpg.org
Northern Health Speech-Language Department (250) 565-7370

If you would like to more about what you should be looking/ listening for, check out the communication checklist

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For more information consult the Canadian Association of Speech - Language Pathologists & Audiologists Guide: Parents Guide to Children's Speech. You can download the guide in the associated documents below.

Associated Documents

Parents Guide to Children's Speech

Look who's talking now!

Read, talk & sing with me often...Because the first 6 years are important To my speech and language development

Read, talk & sing with me often...Because the first 6 years are important To my speech and language development

Discovering any problems early gives a child a better chance to learn how to communicate successfully.

Over 10 per cent of preschool children in British Columbia have speech and language disorders. Early identification is important for these children, because they can be helped.

Parents, trust your instincts and call us if you need help!...

Read, talk & sing with me often...
Because the first 6 years are important
To my speech and language development

Read, talk & sing with me often...
Because the first 6 years are important
To my speech and language development

Over 10 per cent of preschool children in British Columbia have speech and language disorders. Early identification is important for these children, because they can
be helped.