Aggguuu..it was the first word, or sound my son made
when he was 7 month old; and I remember not getting enough of it. I made him say
it over and over again. He turned 15 months old, and his little gestures of
making me understand what he wants were equally adorable. He started pointing
to things and using sound of words to make me understand. The sounds and
whispers he creates are magical. And now after his 2nd birthday he is
finally trying to make his conversations.
We as parents are in constant mode of pride with our baby’s
everyday achievements. It’s funny to see how little things becomes so important
in our diary of being a perfect parent. The same is my story. I’m an obsessed
mother, and hence everyday behavior, growth and acts of my son were the pride
and joy of my day. But when I started noticing that my son isn’t talking much
as other kids it was alarming to me. My biggest mistake was that I kept talking
to everyone about my concern, but with my son. The magic of words are the only
solution for the kids. There is no doubt that every child is unique and has his
or her own understanding skills and timelines; which we can never predict.
What I did to work on it? I started talking to my son
constantly. I would talk to him about anything I can think of. I have been
working upon his everyday vocabulary since he was an infant, but now I added
animation to it. I would climb the tree, to make him understand the ‘tree’, and
try catching the ‘cat’ for him to notice. And it worked. He would jump on the ‘grass’,
and ask for ‘yellow flower’ every time we crossed our neighbor’s front yard J. And I made sure whenever he spoke I applaud
his efforts. Once he started understanding the importance of creating words,
things became easier. I made sure he notices the impact his little words would make.
Like if he said ‘up’ I would instantly get up or make him jump up. Or whenever
he said ‘go’, I would go along with him to make sure he feels that he is heard
and understood. And now my son is catching or I may say exploring 2-3 words a
day. I’m sure with every child there may be a unique technique. Unlike my son, some
kids would copy. Or some would just talk when they wish to.
I guess the science of parenting, of culminating any
skill in our child is case specific. And a lead role is played by the patience
of determining the child’s personality.
So here’s to all the speech struggling parents; I was
one of them a month back. Never compare, Never Give up, and Keep trying new approaches,
everything and anything works.
