How to Help your Grandchild with Speaking Difficulties
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
Does your grandchild need speech therapy for kids? Advice for grandparents who notice their grandchild struggling with speaking difficulties..
We often have grandparents who reach out to us concerned about their grandchild who is struggling with speaking difficulties. . If you’ve noticed your grandchild finding it difficult to form words and express their thoughts, dealing with a speech delay, or trying to communicate with a stutter, you’ve come to the right place!
How do I know if my grandchild needs help?
Every child learns to speak at their own pace. Here are some milestones to help determine if there might be a problem, like a speech delay, in your grandchild’s speech development. Speech language pathologists use these milestones and similar guidelines to determine if further testing, or online speech therapy for kids struggling with speaking difficulties , may be recommended.
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By the end of 6 months, your grandchild should:
Smile at you
Make cooing sounds
Make different crying sounds for different needs
Spot the sign early and get treatment for better future
By the end of 12 months, your grandchild should:
Giggle and laugh
Use their voice to show pleasure/displeasure
Look in the direction of sounds
By the end of 18 months, your grandchild should:
Attempt to imitate speech sounds
Begin saying everyday words including, but not limited to, “mama,” “dada,” “doggie,” “baby,” and “go”
Look when you point
By the end of 24 months, your grandchild should:
Use P, B, M, H, and W in words
Respond to simple questions, like “where is your hat?” or “who is that?”
Name pictures in books, or point to them when you name what is in the picture
By their 3rd birthday, your grandchild should:
Use K, G, F, T, D, and N in words
Ask “why?” and put 3 words together to talk
Say about 50 or more words, and be understood by others about 50% or more
By their 4th birthday, your grandchild should:
Answer simple “WH” questions, like who, what, and where
Understand words for family, like brother, grandmother, and aunt
Talk about what happened during the day, and use about 4 sentences at a time
By their 5th birthday, your grandchild should:
Understand words for order, like first, next, and last
Follow longer sentences
Be understood by others almost all the time
How do I approach my grandchild’s parents about speech problems or online speech therapy for kids?
We know that starting a conversation about your grandchild’s potential speech struggles may be difficult. Here are some tips to help you have a positive, affirming conversation with your grandchild’s parents:
Ask questions. Many times, you can lead someone to a realization by asking them to think it through from a different perspective. The best conversations happen when each party tries to understand the other person’s perspective. Here are some potential conversation starters.
“Have you noticed that Tommy tends to point more than ask for things?”
“Do others have trouble understanding Shayna? I was in a store the other day and noticed a child about her age and they seem to be saying more words; what are your thoughts about her speech progression?”
“I asked Naveen a question the other day, and I noticed that he seems to have trouble saying certain words; have you noticed this?”
“Alexis saw a dog today and seemed excited, but had trouble saying ‘dog;’ have you noticed other words she is having trouble saying?”
If they don’t seem to be interested, move to another topic, but perhaps leave a small nugget at the end of the conversation.
‘I was doing some research on speech delay the other day and wanted to share some resources I found, for you to read whenever you have time.”
“I just texted you a website that has helpful milestones for toddler speaking goals; I was wondering where you think Ivana falls on the chart.”
“Have you thought about getting a speech consultation for Jamal? He seems to be struggling to form words when we’re having a conversation and I just wanted to mention it to you.”
Keep the conversation positive. Affirm their efforts and call out all the good they’ve done. You know how tough parenting is! Be firm in your point of view, while staying mindful that being too insistent could be considered as being critical about their parenting. It’s best to keep the focus on a mutual desire, i.e. the health and wellbeing of their child. If you have a disagreement, bring the conversation back to the fact that you’re both trying to help your grandchild as best you can.
“Liam is really starting to want to talk, are there ways you would like me to talk with him to help him with his language? I did some looking online about some good words to try, may I share that with you?”
“Emma has been sharing with me some new words you are teaching her, that’s awesome! When you share a new word with her, are you finding that she picks them up quickly and starts saying them? I’m wondering if there are ways we can help.”
“You are so patient with Aaliyah when she is trying to say something around her stutter. Do you think a speech therapist could help her more with that?”
“It’s hard sometimes for me to not want to help Mateo say something and to let him figure out the word. Do you find he is struggling a bit?”
Let the facts lead. Share facts and research that you’ve done around this issue. Offer to send them websites or resources you’ve found that have helped you better understand this issue.
“I read that an average 3-year-old can be understood by strangers 75% of the time.”
“I was looking something up and discovered /found this chart that shows which consonant sounds kids should be able to say by a certain age.”
“Do you think we should be concerned? I read that between 20-30% of late talkers do not grow out of their language delay and will need speech therapy to help catch up.”
Share Better Speech resources. Our website has lots of resources to help children struggling with speech difficulties. Here are some of our most popular resources:
Our free ebook with 3 tips to easily improve speech. Download it today and share it during this conversation!
The Better Speech Blog. If your grandchild’s parents prefer to do their own research and look into speech issues on their own, share Better Speech’s website (www.betterspeech.com) or blog, or other sites you’ve found to help.
Online Quiz. We’ve created a quiz that helps parents determine if their toddler needs online speech therapy for kids. Click here to access the quiz and share it with your grandchild’s parents.
How can I help my grandchild struggling with speaking difficulties?
We have many articles on our blog detailing ways to help children struggling with speaking difficulties . Check out these articles for more resources:
If your grandchild’s parents agree, consulting a speech-language pathologist may be a good idea. Online speech therapy for kids is a great convenient option for busy parents. At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my grandchild's speech delay is serious enough to need professional help?
If your grandchild is difficult to understand, uses very few words for their age, or seems frustrated when trying to communicate, it is worth getting a professional evaluation. A licensed speech-language pathologist can identify whether the delay falls outside the typical range and recommend next steps. Early support almost always leads to better outcomes, so trusting your instincts is a great starting point.
What can I do at home to encourage my grandchild to talk more?
Simple daily habits make a real difference. Read aloud together, narrate what you are doing during activities, and give your grandchild extra time to respond without finishing their sentences for them. Praise effort rather than correct pronunciation, and create low-pressure conversations around things they love. Consistent, warm interaction at home reinforces whatever work they may be doing with a speech therapist.
Should I correct my grandchild when they mispronounce words?
Direct correction can sometimes make a child feel self-conscious and less willing to speak. Instead, gently model the correct pronunciation by repeating what they said back to them correctly in your response. For example, if they say 'wabbit,' you might reply, 'Yes, that rabbit is so fluffy!' This reinforces the right sounds without creating pressure or embarrassment.
How do I talk to my grandchild's parents about getting speech therapy without overstepping?
Come from a place of curiosity rather than concern by sharing specific things you have noticed, like 'I noticed Mia seems frustrated when she tries to tell me a story.' Suggest looking into options together rather than presenting it as a problem. Framing it as a team effort to support the child tends to land much better than unsolicited advice about parenting decisions.
Is online speech therapy a good option for young children, and how do we get started?
Online speech therapy is highly effective for children of all ages and is backed by strong research. Better Speech offers licensed speech-language pathologists, accepts most major insurance plans, and has no waitlists, so your grandchild can start getting support quickly. Sessions happen from home, which means a familiar, comfortable setting that many children actually respond to better than a clinical office environment.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
