Help your toddler to talk
Your blind or partially sighted child may find it harder to see what’s going on around them. This may mean they are less motivated to communicate, so it may take your toddler a bit longer to learn to talk.
You’re probably already doing lots of things that can help them with language development. Things to try include:
- tell them stories and sing nursery rhymes and songs
- always use their name to show you’re talking to them
- reduce background noise to make it easier for them to hear
- give them time to answer
- name things they touch when they are touching them, for example, when they are holding a ball say ‘ball’
- talk about things you’re doing together
- use the same phrases, for example, always say ‘cup’ rather than sometimes saying ‘beaker’
- use ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’ and people’s names rather than ‘he’ and ‘she’
- explain how things work and where things belong
If you feel your toddler is having problems talking you can ask your health visitor for advice, or your child’s QTVI if they have one.
RSBC’s Family Support Service can help you with:
- practical advice about your child’s development
- support when you feel overwhelmed
- understanding your child’s vision impairment better
- living as a family and being supportive of each other
Call 0203 1980225 or email connections@rsbc.org.uk
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