Did you know you can help your child learn new words faster just by changing how you say them? It’s called acoustic highlighting, and it’s a super simple (but powerful) trick! 💡 What is Acoustic Highlighting? It’s all about emphasizing important words or sounds by changing your tone, pitch, or volume. This helps your child focus on the words you want them to learn. Here’s an example: Imagine introducing yourself in a noisy room: “My name is Eli.” Someone mishears you and says, “Hi Levi.” You respond, “Not Levi—my name is EEEEEli.” By stretching out the /EEEEE/, you highlight the key difference, making it easier for them to understand. 🎯 How to Use It with Your Child: 1️⃣ Speak Slowly and Clearly: Use a slightly higher pitch for the target word or sound. 2️⃣ Repeat It Often: Use the word in different sentences, emphasizing it each time. 3️⃣ Add Facial Expressions and Gestures: Make it engaging and fun! 📚 Here’s an Example: “Let’s play with the BAAAALLL. Look at the biiiiiiig BALL! Throw the BALL to me.” By emphasizing “BALL,” you’re making it easier for your child to understand its meaning and how to say it. This strategy is simple but so effective! What's a word your child is working on? 🤔

It’s not random—there’s a reason behind it! Let’s talk about vowels and why they’re so important for your baby’s early speech. 🔍 What Research Says Babies start to notice vowel sounds as early as 6 months old. A study by Kuhl et al. (2017) found that this skill helps them learn words later. 🌟 Why Vowels Are Important Vowels are the “heart” of words. They’re easier to hear and say than consonants, so they’re usually where babies start. Words like “mama” and “dada” are simple and have repeating patterns. This makes them easy to practice. 🚀 How You Can Help Here are some easy ways to use vowels to help your baby learn to talk: - Stretch out vowels: “Oooo, look at the moooon!” - Be fun and animated: “Aaaah, that’s a biiig yaaawn!” - Pair the sounds with actions or objects, so your baby knows what the sounds mean. The more excited you are, the more your baby will want to join in. These little things help build their language skills. 💬 What About You? Has your baby started saying certain sounds or trying out words? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!

Hey, amazing community! 👋 I’m thrilled to continue celebrating all the energy, support, and kindness you bring to this group. Let’s end 2024 on a high note! 💪 Here’s How It Works: The top 3 members who share, ask questions, or help others the most by the end of December will win: 1️⃣ A FREE 1:1 Consultation with me (perfect for personalized advice!) 2️⃣ A $20 e-gift card to the place of your choice 🎁 This is your chance to focus on your child’s communication, get answers to your big questions, and treat yourself to something fun—all for being active and supportive in this community! 💬 Your thoughtful contributions help make this group such a valuable resource for everyone. And now there’s even more reason to jump in and make an impact! Let’s wrap up 2024 with connection, growth, and a little fun along the way. 🌟 Who’s ready to shine this December? 🙌 (And just for fun: If your child could pick a prize for you, what do you think they’d choose?)

There are a lot of myths out there about child language development. Let’s set the record straight on a few of the most common ones! 👉 Myth 1: Bilingualism Causes Language Delay The Truth: Bilingual children may start speaking a bit later, but they're learning two languages simultaneously, which is an incredible accomplishment! They typically catch up to monolingual peers without any long-term delays. 👉 Myth 2: Sign Language Discourages Speaking Fact Check: Using sign language early on can actually support language development. It gives children a way to communicate before they can speak, reducing frustration and potentially speeding up spoken language development. 👉 Myth 3: More Screen Time Boosts Language Skills Reality Check: Passive screen time isn't a substitute for human interaction. Kids learn best through engaging with people. Try using "sports commentator talk" or "self-talk" during play for a more effective approach! 👉 Myth 4: Boys Naturally Have Slower Language Development The Facts: While there may be minor differences in language timelines between boys and girls, these differences are small. Every child has their own unique development path. 👉 Myth 5: Reading to Your Child Early Isn’t Worthwhile Truth Revealed: Reading to your child, even before they fully understand words, helps them get familiar with language patterns and builds early literacy skills. Why This Matters Understanding these myths can help you feel confident in supporting your child’s speech and language development. Every child is unique, so trust your instincts, ask questions, and reach out if you need professional guidance. Do you have questions or concerns about any of these myths? Drop your questions here, and let’s discuss!

Quick reminder to turn on your notifications so you never miss important posts, updates, or new resources! Here’s how: On the mobile app: 1️⃣ Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner. 2️⃣ Click the three dots in the top-right, select Settings, and then select Notifications. 3️⃣ Turn on updates for posts, comments, and announcements. On desktop: 1️⃣ Click your profile icon in the top-right corner. 2️⃣ Select Settings, then click Notifications from the menu. 3️⃣ Choose which updates you want to receive. If you have any questions or need help, just ask—I’m happy to assist! 😊