4 Silent Mistakes That Are “Stealing” Your Child’s Voice

Children point, and parents immediately oblige

Before they can speak, children often use hand gestures to express their thoughts and needs. For instance, when a child is thirsty, they may point to a cup of water, or when hungry, they might point to the snack cabinet. This is a natural instinct for children to try to communicate with the world around them.

In response to this, parents often immediately fulfill the child’s request without further inquiry. However, experts suggest that this is a common mistake that may hinder the child’s speech development.

It is important that parents teach their children to verbalize their needs. Encouraging children to express their emotions and desires through speech will facilitate more natural language development.

For example, when you see your child pointing at a cup of water, instead of immediately giving them water, ask: “What do you want? Tell me.” This not only gives your child an opportunity to practice speaking but also encourages them to use words to express their needs.

Initially, their responses may not be clear, and they may only produce sounds or simple words. However, it is crucial to be patient and continue encouraging them. When they attempt to vocalize their needs, offer praise and encouragement, such as: “That’s right, you want water! I’ll get you some.” This way, they will feel more confident in using language and understand the value of their words.

Using cartoons to soothe children

It is a common scenario: when children refuse to eat or become fussy, parents often resort to their favorite cartoons or shows to calm and please them.

While this may be an effective temporary solution, early and excessive exposure to such programs can limit their initiative to speak.

Research indicates that children aged 0-3 years old require interaction for language development. If, during this critical period, they spend most of their time passively watching screens without any feedback, they miss out on opportunities to actively engage their brains and practice speaking.

Instead of relying on screen time, engage in interactive activities such as reading picture books, singing nursery rhymes, and having bedtime conversations.

Consequently, children may struggle with language development. In fact, a lack of encouragement to participate in interactive activities can lead to passivity, making learning less effective.

A more beneficial alternative is to replace screen time with reading picture books, singing nursery rhymes, and having conversations before bedtime.

Research has shown that the 30 minutes before bedtime is a prime time for children to learn, and this interactive approach can be more effective than passive screen time.

A quiet home environment with limited adult conversation

The words parents speak are the building blocks of a child’s vocabulary. Daily repetition helps these words sink into the child’s brain, enabling them to use them.

Language is not just a communication tool but also plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s cognition and thinking abilities. If parents are sparse with their words or lack interaction, children will have fewer opportunities to learn new vocabulary.

Instead, parents should seize everyday moments to engage in conversations with their children. For instance, while preparing a meal, say: “Look, I’m cutting carrots!” or while doing the dishes, “These plates are now clean.” Such simple, interactive phrases help children develop language awareness and naturally acquire new words.

Additionally, there is no such thing as too much communication with your child. Frequent interaction and repetition create a rich language environment, facilitating easier absorption and memory retention.

Parents’ words are the foundation of a child’s vocabulary.

Interrupting children when they speak slowly

When children speak slowly, parents may interrupt out of haste, unintentionally diminishing their confidence in expressing their needs. If a child is trying to convey something and is cut off, they lose the opportunity to finish their thought.

For instance, in a simple scenario, when a child says: “Mommy… Mommy…”, and the mother immediately interrupts with: “Okay, okay, I’ll pour you some water and cut an apple.” The child may feel like they didn’t have a chance to finish their thought.

Instead, parents should practice patience and create a safe space for their children to learn to speak. An appropriate response could be: “Are you calling me? What do you want to say?” This type of question encourages expression and demonstrates the parent’s interest in what the child has to say. When children feel heard, they are more likely to speak more and improve their language skills.