Category: KD Novelties

Tips for Reading to Children with Speech and Language Problems

Posted on | by KD Novelties

Communication may be difficult for children with speech and language problems, and this can be a frustrating process. For children, speech and language issues can manifest in a variety of different ways, affecting the way that children express themselves and understand others. It is important to have concerns like these addressed as soon as possible so that your child can get the proper care, which will provide them with the tools they need in order to cope with these issues and overcome them. It also helps for parents to pitch in as well, and one of the best ways you can help is to read to and with your child regularly.

Speech and language is more than just talking. It is about the way in which we express ourselves, understand one another, and how we relate to others. Speech and language also employ skills pertaining to listening, storytelling and our ability to understand abstract concepts. Reading with your child can help to engage these other aspects of language while also helping you build memorable moments with your child as well.

Build a Relationship with Books
Developing a love for books and reading can help open up doors. It leads to a healthy relationship with learning, curiosity and creativity. One of the best ways to help foster this sort of relationship is to have books available, whether they be for kids, for adults, magazines, or anything else, and it also helps to read to and with your child as well. Doing so can help you spend time together, bond, and have fun. These moments will help paint reading in a positive light, even if children have difficulty interacting with books on their own. With the right encouragement and determination, kids can still associate books with something good and continue to benefit from them regardless of their problems with speech and language.

Reading in a Whole New Way
For parents with children who have speech and language disabilities or other problems, you may feel as if your child may not be getting the most out of reading due to these particular issues. This may be true for some children, but there are ways in which you can make reading a more personalized experience. Children with speech and language problems may benefit from unique tips and tricks that can help them learn how to listen attentively, pick up on words and phrases, and overcome whatever problems they have. Try repeating stories – sometimes kids need a little extra time to listen to learn. Also, try singing, rhyming or acting out stories, too. Reading does not have to be a singular experience, and since people learn in different ways, it helps to remember that reading with a different approach can have a positive impact on your child and may help them learn more about language and communication while also improving their skills.

Revisit Stories and Ask Them Questions
In order to help encourage your children to interact and think critically, you can ask them questions about the story. This doesn’t have to be like homework – after certain pages or chapters, ask your child what they think will happen next. Ask them who their favorite character is and why. It also helps when it comes to building their language skills. Thinking and answering questions can help them communicate, but make sure to help them sound out words, read along with you and even play sound games to help their speaking skills.

There are plenty of things that you can do to help your child if they happen to have speech and language problems, but it is also important that children develop a healthy relationship with books and learning, in order to benefit their academic and intelligent lives. Kids with issues that deal with speech, language, and communication, and even children with learning disabilities like dyslexia, may not begin to interact with books until they are in school or otherwise because they (and their parents) might feel that it is something that should wait until after they get treatment or that it is something that will come in time. It is never too early to have fun reading, whether kids are being read to or reading on their own, and it can help kids develop essential skills, learn to love stories, and develop a sense of self confidence in their ability to learn as well.

How To Effectively Discipline Children

Posted on | by KD Novelties

One of the most difficult things that parents will need to navigate to their children is dispensing discipline. Discipline is not just a means of punishment or a system that perpetuates action and consequence. It is important that children learn to understand how to behave and why certain behaviors are deemed unacceptable or unsafe. Disciplining your child is not about punishing them but it is about teaching them how to act in society in a way that is safe as well as respectful of others.

So, how does a parent go about effectively disciplining their child?

There are several things that you should remember, but one of the most important things you should keep in mind is to be clear about the rules and be consistent with them.

First off, it is important that children understand what sort of behavior is unacceptable. In some cases, children will learn this by example whether it is through their own behavior or by watching other children, and in some cases other people in general. It is vital that you have a discussion with your child as to why something is unacceptable, whether it is throwing a tantrum, stealing, being rude, or anything else along those lines. If they understand why something is bad or unacceptable, they are more likely to listen. It is important that children have some sense of personal understanding beyond the idea that something is “bad” or undesirable. Not only is it better for them in the long run, but it can help to better ensure that the idea sticks. It also helps you create a strong sense of communication and respect with your child.

Disciplining Your Child

Once your child understands what the rules are, or what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable, it helps that you remain as consistent as possible. Sometimes, contradictions will arise as new situations and exceptions present themselves, but overall it is important that you remain as consistent as you can in order for children to retain a sense of understanding. If you’re inconsistent, then your children will not have a reasonable idea of what to expect from you or how they should ideally behave.

As a parent, it is also important that you lead by example. Children are visual learners and they often learn how to behave by mimicking the way that their parents do. If you often contradict the rules that you set for your children, not only will they not understand what the rules are but they will disregard anything you try to tell them about their behavior because of it. The way that you act around your children and others will have more of a lasting effect on them over what you say, so if you support your advice and your rules with your own behavior, children are more likely to take note and to listen.

Raising disciplined children is not going to be easy. There will be good days and bad days, and some kids will be more difficult than others. It is important that you remember the advice above, but it is also essential that you employ tactics that work best for you and your children as individuals. Setting boundaries, being clear, and remaining consistent is vital, but the ways in which you discipline your child should be appropriate to them as a person involving the situation at hand.

~ KD Novelties is a publisher of personalized children’s books and are advocates for promoting literacy in children. They share parenting resources and reading tips here on their blog.

Why Talking Counts

Posted on | by KD Novelties
Talking with Kids

As an adult, you may look to books or the internet if you want to expand your vocabulary. Seeing and experiencing words in action help you understand them and make it more likely for these new words to weave their way into your personal vocabulary. For children, reading is still a challenge, especially for children who are not yet ready to read on their own. You don’t have to wait until your child starts school to begin teaching them language or reading skills. In fact, you can start by simply talking to your children.

How do we learn words? How do we learn how to speak? Not many of us, if any, remember those early stages of learning how to talk. Learning how to verbally communicate is something that develops over time. Like learning a new language, it is said that immersing yourself in that language is the best way to teach it to yourself and improve your skills – and the same applies to children who are learning to speak for the first time. Kids learn by sight and sound, they learn by example and they are easily impressionable. Things that kids see, hear and taste will influence what they know and what they learn, and the words that your children hear around the house will certainly play a part in how their vocabulary develops.

Many adults and parents tend to baby talk to their children, meaning that they increase the pitch of their voice and simplify their way of speaking. This can help create a loving and welcome environment for the burgeoning minds of young children, and it is a great way to convey emotion and caring. However, it is also important that kids hear grown up language, too. Explain things around the house to your child, tell them about your day and have a real conversation with them, too. Not only will this help to expose your child to a wider range of vocabulary, but it will help them develop more complex language skills as well.

Communicating with Children

Speaking to your child shouldn’t be a one way street. No matter what your child asks or says, giving a detailed and informative response is helpful, too, no matter what it is. Language is not just about how many words you know. It is all about listening and communicating effectively. Kids who are exposed to more language, whether it be through books or conversation, are more likely to do better in school. Not only will it help their reading and writing skills, but these language skills can help them better understand concepts across subjects and it can benefit them socially, too.

Remember, it’s never too late to start talking to your baby. Even if they cannot fully understand what you are saying yet, they are still learning, and their minds and imaginations, are growing tenfold as a result.

Helpful Starter Tip: Perfect way to start conversations with your kids is to read together or walk through the pictures of a book.  Talk about the pictures and characters in the story.  This can be done at any age including toddlers.  Point to objects and say the word and have them repeat it, this will surely build their vocabulary in no time.
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