As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s development. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. When it comes to speech and language development, you can help your child progress by providing consistent coaching speech and support at home.
While most children will develop speech and language skills naturally, some may need a little extra help. If you’re concerned about your child’s progress, consider seeking out professional help. An online speech therapist can provide guidance and support to help your child reach their full potential through parent coaching. Let’s talk about it!
In this article we will discuss:
What is Parent Coaching?
While early intervention SLPs are typically the ones providing the treatment and evaluations for suspected/confirmed speech and language delays, parents play a very important role in treatment. Parent-Coaching is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective in helping children with speech and language delays make progress. Parent-coaching involves working with an online speech therapist to learn specific strategies and techniques that you can use at home to help your child communicate more effectively.
If parents are involved and invested in their child’s speech therapy, progress is more likely to be made. Studies have shown that parent coaching can help children with speech and language delays make significant progress.
How Can I Get Involved?
If you think your child would benefit from parent coaching, the first step is to talk to your child’s doctor or a speech therapist. They can help you get started and connect you with the resources you need.
You can also look for online speech therapy programs that offer parent coaching as part of their services. These programs can be a convenient and effective way to get the support you need to help your child progress.
Get involved in your child's speech development
7 Reasons Why Parent Coaching is important
Parent coaching is an important part of early speech intervention for children with speech and language delays. By getting involved and working with a speech therapist, you can help your child make significant progress. Let’s talk about 7 reasons why parent coaching is important!
1. Parent coaching strengthens the parent-child relationship
Through parent coaching, parents learn how to better communicate and understand their children. This strengthens the parent-child bond and can help improve the overall relationship.
Especially with first-time mothers, this guidance can be very beneficial in developing a trusting and strong relationship with their child. Parent coaching will also help parents feel more confident in their parenting skills, assuring parents that they are doing everything they can for their children.
2. Parent coaching leads to more effective communication
One of the goals of parent coaching is to help parents learn how to effectively communicate with their children. This includes teaching parents how to properly use facial expressions and gestures, as well as how to better understand their child’s communication. It is not just about teaching our children how to talk but also how to listen and understand. Using words that affirm their feelings and experiences will help your child feel validated, which is an important part of their development.
Involving parents when children are receiving early intervention speech therapy has been shown to lead to more effective communication between parent and child. Parent coaching helps parents provide a foundation for learning at home. Parents learn how to create an environment that is conducive to learning, as well as how to incorporate speech and language activities into everyday life. This helps children develop the skills they need to be successful communicators.
3. Parent coaching can help improve behavior
Parent coaching can also help improve a child’s behavior. Through parent speech coaching, parents learn how to better manage their child’s behavior and respond to difficult behaviors in a more effective way.
There is no right and wrong parenting. However, through parent coaching, parents can learn new and more effective ways to deal with their child’s behavior. This can lead to a more positive and productive home environment for everyone involved.
4. Parent coaching can help reduce stress
Parenting can be a very stressful job. Through parent coaching, parents can learn how to better manage their own stress and anxiety. They can also learn coping mechanisms that will help them deal with the stresses of parenting in a more effective way.
By reducing stress, parents can create a more positive home environment for their children. This can lead to better overall communication and behavior in the home.
5. Parent coaching can help improve academic performance
Parent speech coaching can also help improve a child’s academic performance. Studies have shown that children whose parents are involved in their education tend to do better in school.
Parent coaching can help parents learn how to better support their child’s education. This includes helping parents learn how to create a positive learning environment at home and how to effectively communicate with their child’s teachers.
6. Parent coaching can help reduce the risk of future problems
Parent coaching can also help reduce the risk of future problems. Studies have shown that children who receive early intervention are less likely to experience problems later in life.
By getting involved in parent coaching speech sessions, parents can help reduce the risk of future problems for their children. This includes reducing the risk of developmental delays, academic difficulties, and behavioral problems.
7. Parent coaching is an investment in your child’s future
Parent coaching is an investment in your child’s future. By getting involved in parent coaching, parents are helping to ensure that their children have the best possible chance for success in life.
Parent coaching speech session is an important part of early intervention. It is an investment in your child’s future that can help them reach their full potential.
Parent Coaching and Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is an important part of early intervention for many children. However, speech therapy alone is not always enough to help a child reach their full potential. Parent speech coaching can help fill the gaps and provide the support that many children need to be successful communicators. A speech therapist can guide you with:
1. Picking the right words
When you’re talking to your child, it’s important to use language that they will understand. Using words that affirm their feelings and experiences will help your child feel validated, which is an important part of their development.
Words such as “I see you’re feeling frustrated” or “It sounds like you’re trying really hard” can go a long way in helping your child feel understood.
2. Pacing and intonation
The way you say something is just as important as the words you use. Pacing your speech and using a soothing tone of voice can help your child feel calm and relaxed.
Giving praises such as “Good job!” or “You did it!” in a high-pitched, excited voice will help your child feel proud of their accomplishments. On the other note, saying “No” or “Don’t do that” in a stern voice will help your child know when they’re doing something wrong. However, it is better to avoid using a negative tone of voice whenever possible.
3. Gestures and expressions
Your body language can also be a helpful tool in communication. Using gestures and expressions can help you better communicate with your child.
Gestures such as pointing or waving can help your child understand what you’re saying. And expressions such as smiling or frowning can help convey your feelings.
4. Visual aids
Visual aids such as pictures, books, or flashcards can be helpful in communication. They can help your child understand what you’re saying and provide a way for them to respond.
Introducing visual aids around the house can also be helpful in general communication. Visual aids such as a whiteboard or a picture schedule can help your child understand what’s happening throughout the day and help them be prepared for what’s to come.
5. Sign language
Sign language is a great way to communicate with your child. It can help them understand what you’re saying and provide a way for them to respond.
Sign language can also be used as a form of self-expression. It can help your child communicate their feelings and experiences in a nonverbal way.
6. Listening
Listening is an important part of communication. It’s important to listen to your child and give them the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings.
Aside from teaching your child how to communicate, it can also help you better understand your child. It can help you see the world from their perspective and understand their needs.
Parent coaching speech sessions can help with:
Transition issues (marriage, death, adoption, etc.) or familial changes
Attachment issues
Grief and loss
Behavior problems or discipline issues
Academic difficulties
Communication difficulties (speech, language, etc.)
Screen Time Issues
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
Sensory Processing Disorder
Parent coaching can help you learn how to use these tools to better communicate with your child. A speech therapist can guide you in using these tools and help you troubleshoot any communication difficulties you may be having.
Key Takeaway!
Parent coaching can help you learn how to use these tools to better communicate with your child. A speech therapist can guide you in using these tools and help you troubleshoot any communication difficulties you may be having.
ECI therapy near me - As a parent, we know how busy life can be. It can be difficult to find the time to attend parent-coaching speech sessions. However, we believe that parent speech coaching is an investment in your child's future. It is an investment that will pay off in the long run. If you're interested in learning more about parent coaching, get in touch with Better Speech! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. 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.
About the Author
Mikee Larrazabal
I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with 14 years of experience working with children and adults who have communication difficulties. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science at Cebu Doctors' University and have been helping people overcome their communication challenges ever since.
I have worked with individuals of different ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, adults and seniors. I'm passionate about speech therapy and take great satisfaction in helping people overcome their communication challenges and improve their lives through better communication skills. In my spare time I like reading books, going hiking in nature and taking care of my dog Locas.
