speech – Coleraine SureStart

May Message of the Month

Posted on May 5, 2020May 5, 2020 by Stephanie Scott

Over use of a dummy can be damaging. Start to reduce the dummy when your child is 6 months old. Reducing the use of the dummy…

gives your child a chance to build up the muscles in their mouth (e.g. moving their tongue), babble and talk
is better for the growth and position of your child’s teeth
reduces the risk of colds and ear infections

What you can do?

Use an ‘orthodontic’ or flat teat dummy as this will cause less damage to the teeth.
Aim to start reducing the dummy at 6 months.
Start by reducing the dummy to sleep/ bedtime only.
Take out the dummy when your child is trying to babble/ talk.
Never be tempted to dip the dummy in sugary food or drinks.
Choose a suitable time to get rid of the dummy, not a stressful time.
If your child is older, talk to them about giving up their dummy – that they are a ‘big boy/ girl’ and are able to do so much. Involve them in helping to gather up all their dummies to put in a bag to give away. Make sure there are none hiding anywhere!
Once you have taken the dummy away, do not give it back.
Comfort your child at night with a bedtime story and cuddly toy.

International Mother Language Day

Posted on February 20, 2019April 3, 2020 by Stephanie Scott

Today, 21.02.19, is ‘International Mother Language Day’ – It is very important that parents use the language they know best and feel most comfortable using. A child who develops good use of their ‘Mother Tongue’, is more likely to develop good English when they start pre-school or school.

Bilingual Advice Info Sheet

Tiny Talkers

Posted on August 7, 2018April 3, 2020 by Stephanie Scott

*Talking Times*

Your Baby’s coos and sounds are all attempts to communicate, respond by repeating their coos and sounds! You develop a back and forth interaction when your baby says something and you respond. Research has shown that it is this back and forth interaction that really makes brain connections. It is really important that your baby gets lots of experience of this ‘back and forth’ chatting.

As your child grows and the sounds become words, repeat the words they say and add a word or idea. This is really important for two reasons, firstly by repeating the word, it lets them know you are listening and your understand them and secondly, adding another word or idea, shows them how to join words together.

Example: Child – “Car”

Adult – “Daddy’s car”

Talking Times

Posted on May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 by Stephanie Scott

*Talking Times*

Babies like to suck so a dummy in the early days can help soothe at bedtime or when your baby is tired or cross, however, persistent use can mean your toddler has less chance to babble and later prevents them moving their tongue and jaw normally to produce clear speech. Try and keep dummies for bedtime only!

Little Book Club celebration

Posted on February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 by Stephanie Scott

Join us at our Little Book Club (1.45pm in Society Street) on Thursday 1st March to celebrate World Book Day!

Why not come dressed up as a character from your favourite book and join in some fun activities and story telling.

Reading with your child for just 10 minutes a day can have long lasting benefits for their future…

Talking Times

Posted on February 7, 2018February 7, 2018 by admin

Babies and Toddlers love it when you look and talk to them. It is essential for their brain development. Look at your child and talk to them about whats happening as you go through your day.