Take longer to reach speech and language milestones-and some may need help meeting them. Regardless of mask use, some children will By providing dedicated time to converse with your child without screens or other interruptions-for example, at bath time and dinner time-children should reach their expected Remember, babies and toddlers learn the most from their family! Families can help with speech and language development and social communication through face time at home with family members who aren't wearing masks.
#SEVERE PROFIND HOW TO#
How to boost your child's com munication skills as use of face masks continues You can share these tips with your child's day care provider, preschool, and others who regularly interact with your child while wearing masks. Use eyes, hands, body language, and changes in tone of voice to add information to speechĪsk the child if they understood repeat words and sentences when necessary Speak slowly and slightly louder (without shouting)Įnsure a child is using hearing aids or using other hearing devices, if they have been prescribed
Here are some ways that people who wear face masks can help when they interact with your child:įace the child directly and make sure nothing is blocking the child's view Tips to better communicate with children while wearing a face mask They will watch gestures, hear changes in tone of voice, see eyes convey emotions, and listen to words. Young children will use other clues provided to them to understand and learn language. In fact, when one sense is taken away, the others may be heightened. However, there are no known studies that use of a face mask negatively impacts a child's speech and language development.Īnd consider this: visually impaired children develop speech and language skills at the same rate as their peers.
Babies and young children study faces intently, so the concern about solid masks covering the face is understandable. Can mask use cause delays in speech and language development?Ī key part of learning to communicate for a child is watching the faces, mouths, and expressions of the people closest to them. Tummy time with them, push them in a stroller, and play outside with them-the better the child's communication skills will likely be. The more language a child is exposed to-and the more undivided attention a parent can give to their child as they feed them, bathe them, change their diaper, practice Reading, and engaging their baby in numerous other ways every day. Parents and other family members encourage this development by talking, singing, They are listening to them talk (for families that use spoken language), and making attempts to interact with their parents and caregivers. From day 1, they are watching their loved ones' faces and mouth movements. Plus, children can still get plenty of face time at home with mask-free family members.īabies are hard-wired to communicate. While this is a natural concern, there is no known evidence that use of face masks interferes with speech and language development or social communication. But a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic and no solid end in sight, some families wonder whether continuous use of face masks by daycare providers, preschool teachers, and other adults may negatively affect their child's speech and language development.
Whether by smiling, cooing and babbling, pointing and gesturing, or saying their first words, children express themselves from birth. During a child's first few years of life, they are rapidly developing communication skills.
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