Director Jacob Gutshall shares tips for parents and caregivers sending their young kids to school
[St. Louis, MO, September 26, 2024] – Speech and language disorders are among the most common conditions that young children experience. Parents may notice their child is struggling with speech sounds, language usage, or social communication. “Parents and caregivers play a fundamental role when it comes to communication,” explains Jacob Gutshall, Director of the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic at Maryville University. According to Gutshall, the key is to arrange for early professional help to achieve the best possible outcomes for the child. The start of a new school year can be particularly tricky, so below are answers to a few common questions parents or caregivers might have.
Are there any books about starting school that are especially good to read to a child?
“These are some good first day of kindergarten books and school related books that I’ve used with my own children,” says Gutshall:
- Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn
- The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
- The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- The King of Kindergarten and/or Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
- Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney
If a parent or caregiver notices that their child is struggling with speech, what can they do?
Many children struggle with speech and language. If your child has difficulty expressing their wants and needs or understanding you, talk to your child’s pediatrician or teachers to request a screening through a speech-language pathologist (SLP). SLPs work in public schools, hospitals, and clinics. Another first step is to have the child’s hearing checked by an audiologist.
With parents and caregivers being partners in children’s speech development, what are some verbalization exercises they can practice at home?
The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic’s “Techniques for Stimulating Speech and Language” handout describes some simple techniques that parents and caregivers can use when talking, playing, and reading with young children. These include:
- For parents and caregivers to be a good model and talk in simple, grammatically correct sentences. Try not to speak too fast. Your child will naturally want to match your rate and may not be able to keep up.
- Decrease the amount of questions you ask, and instead talk about what your child is doing, name objects and pictures, or describe everyday activities. Then wait for your child to begin the interaction. Quiet time helps the child process information.
- Respond immediately when your child gestures, signs, or attempts to talk. Be sure to let your child know that you are interested in what they want to tell you. Say or sign their attempts back to them in the language that is most comfortable for your family. Be a good listener, your child will communicate in their own time and once they are ready.
Also, the Hanen Centre’s book “It Takes Two to Talk” is a great resource the Walker Clinic uses to train caregivers. The book describes more techniques that parents and caregivers can do at home to encourage young children’s communication development.
What should parents/caregivers be looking for, as a way to decide if speech therapy is needed?
If parents are concerned that their child might have a communication disorder, they can visit the website www.identifythesigns.org administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Also, they can consider these questions: Is my child reacting to my voice and other sounds? Can they communicate their wants and needs effectively? Can they follow directions and answer questions? Do other people understand what they’re trying to say?
If parents are concerned, a screening by an SLP can help answer their questions. Find a professional SLP through your local school district, your pediatrician, or contact the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for assistance.
About the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic
The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic provides speech-language therapy for children ages 2 through 6 throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, at no charge to families. Founded in 1988, the Walker Clinic became a program of Maryville University in 2015, and serves children year-round through its main location on the Maryville campus, at partner satellite locations in community centers and Head Start preschools, and remotely via telepractice. It is one of the Scottish Rite supported “RiteCare” programs nationwide for children with communication disorders. Ongoing support through individual donations, grants and special events are vital to ensuring that the Walker Clinic can continue providing free services for children, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the fourth fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from all 50 states and 56 countries.