How to Support “New Talkers”: Observe, Wait, Listen
Parents who witness their child struggling with communication know how challenging it can be, and often wonder how they can support their toddler’s language development. Thankfully, there are many “tried and true” strategies for supporting these early communicators, or “new talkers”. Speech therapists in Edmonton, across Canada, and globally, help parents implement evidence-based techniques such as those outlined in Hanen's "It Takes Two to Talk" program. One such “Gold Standard Strategy” is the OWL (Observe, Wait, and Listen) strategy designed specifically for young children. It's a great way to empower parents by giving them new tools to motivate their child’s communication to grow.
The effective and straightforward OWL strategy empowers parents to carefully Observe their child, Wait for their communication attempts, and actively Listen to their message. By granting space, time, and encouragement for self-expression, this technique creates a two-way process where your child feels heard and language development flourishes through shared thoughts.
Witnessing the Transformation: Little Rylie’s Journey
Young Rylie* was a curious toddler who struggled to communicate her needs and feelings. Her parents searched for reliable speech therapy in their area, and found Ruby Speech Therapy. Through a combination of in-person sessions and virtual (as they had to travel nearly 1 hour each way from their home), they met with me, a St. Albert-based Speech-Language Pathologist, who introduced them to the OWL strategy, and how we could use it build Rylie’s communication skills.
The OWL strategy was a huge step in Rylie’s communication journey. As her parents began to observe her actions, wait for her attempts to communicate, and carefully listen to her responses, the results were remarkable. They noticed her wanting to turn the page in a favourite book. They waited for her to indicate “more” or to make a sound while turning the page. They listened to her communication and followed her lead. The beauty of the OWL approach was its ability to facilitate stress-free and natural interaction by empowering Rylie to initiate conversations at her own pace. As a result, she became more engaged in back-and-forth communication, broadened her vocabulary and communicated with newfound confidence. Of course, this happened at her own pace, when she was ready, and with her parents’ constant support.
Supporting “Just” Late Talkers
There is no shortage of myths and misconceptions surrounding speech and language development. One prevalent belief is that children with speech difficulties will eventually catch up without any intervention. However, research reveals the importance of early intervention in improving language outcomes for those with delays. While the majority of late talkers do catch up to their same age peers (in fact, an estimated 70-80%), some need targeted supports in order to help bridge that gap. And what’s more, late talkers often require support later on for early literacy skills, writing and speech sound development - whether or not there is an identified underlying language disorder.
Many people believe that parents cannot significantly contribute to their child's speech development. However, as Speech-Language Pathologists well know, the Hanen program's 'It Takes Two to Talk' and the OWL strategy (among many others) disprove this myth. These strategies highlight the essential role parents play as primary facilitators in their child's language growth by enhancing communication skills in everyday situations.
Children who struggle with speech and language need not 'wait and see'. Instead, parents should consider reaching out to a qualified speech therapist near them. At Ruby Speech Therapy, a speech therapy clinic near Edmonton, our therapists help children discover the transformative power of their own communication.
Don’t “Wait and See”
Every child deserves the chance to communicate effectively. The OWL strategy (Observe, Wait, Listen) helps parents support their child to communicate in the ways that matter most to them. Professional SLP support is always just a phone call away. Book an appointment with our speech therapist in St Albert today and see for yourself how these remarkable approaches can help your child embark on their journey towards robust communication.
*name has been changed
References:
Hanen Centre. (n.d.). Benefits of Taking the It Takes Two to Talk® Program. Retrieved from here.
Hanen Centre. (n.d.). The Waiting Game: An Essential Skill for Parents of Children with Language Delay. Retrieved from here.
Expressable. (2020, February 26). The Importance of Parental Involvement in Speech Therapy. Retrieved from here.
Apraxia Kids. (n.d.). The Importance of Parent Involvement in the Speech Therapy Process. Retrieved from here.