As a parent, nothing concerns us the most than ensuring that our child hits all the developmental milestones targeted at a certain age. Though children develop at their own pace, it is important that we are keenly observant and proactive once we begin noticing delays, like in speech.

Admittedly, this is a concern for me as I noticed that my 2 years and 7 months old son has limited vocabulary range. As a mom, I know I had to find ways to encourage him to speak more. Surprisingly, there are free online parenting seminars available, and I was able to attend “What’s Next? Understanding Early Childhood Developmental Milestones” featuring Dra. Victoria Ang-Nolasco, a developmental pediatrician.

In this article, I will be sharing with you 5 practical tips for parents to support our child’s development, especially for those with speech delay. (Disclaimer: These strategies are just doable actions for parents and would not substitute clinical interventions when necessary. For proper and accurate diagnosis, consult with a licensed developmental pediatrician.)

Better understood through the back and forth exchange of players in tennis, this kind of interaction is between you and your child.

The concept of “serving” from your child could be as simple as smiling, babbling, pointing, or walking towards something. When they do this, it is important that you pay attention. In exchange, you “return” by looking back at them, smiling, encouraging the act or naming it (e.g. your child pointing to a bird and you verbally tell them “Yes, that’s a bird”).

Wait, take turns, and in doing so, this would reinforce early language and social skills that would serve as your child’s foundation for high-level cognitive abilities later on.

This may be simple as it sounds. However, due to busy schedules, sometimes our child is left alone playing with toys when sometimes, it’s best that they have someone to play with.

Start by choosing something your child is most interested in. Get down on the floor and focus on the play. This could be done as easy as counting biscuits or steps or getting a blank paper and asking them to draw.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a list of developmental milestones for you to check the tasks you can assign or do with your child. Here are some of them.

Developmental Milestones by Age
CDC Guidelines

One Year Old
· Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
· Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
· Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
· Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

Two Years Old
· Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
· Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
· Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
· Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help

Three Years Old
· Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
· Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
· Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
· Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket

Four Years Old
· Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
· Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
· Draws a person with three or more body parts
· Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision

Five Years Old
· Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
· Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
· Writes some letters in her name
· Buttons some buttons

For example, if your child is 2 years old, you could ask their help in putting used clothes into the laundry basket, piling books or keeping their toys after use. While doing so, you can describe the action being done and compliment them afterwards. This would increase the number of words they can speak and would encourage autonomy.

Several research reveals that prolonged screen time can increase the risk of some developmental disorders and even language delay in early childhood. While there is no judgment considering the different setups we have at home, we can commit to decreasing it a little by incorporating active and outdoor play. During mealtimes, you could also impose a no gadget rule, and this should even include you to encourage conversations.

Your mental wellness and disposition would affect your child’s development and well-being. More than being preoccupied in “getting it right”, remember that it’s your connection and relationship with your child that matters the most.

When it feels overwhelming, sit down, look at your child and think how you would put up with them. At the end of the day, what your child needs is not a perfect parent to help them but a supportive and nurturing one.

What other tips have you learned or used that you think can help other parents? Share them with us in the comments section below!