6 Parenting Habits That Can Make Language Delay Harder

Small changes to everyday interactions can create more opportunities for children with developmental language delay to communicate. Learn six common habits to rethink and simple strategies you can use instead.

Are you worried about your child's language development?

Sometimes, everyday habits that come from a place of love and support can unintentionally make communication more difficult for a child with developmental language delay.

You might find yourself asking lots of questions, correcting your child's words, filling every silence, or having the TV playing in the background throughout the day.

These habits do not mean you are doing anything wrong. Small changes to the way we interact can simply create more opportunities for children to listen, respond, practise, and communicate.

What research tells us?

Children develop language through meaningful interactions with the people around them. For children with developmental language difficulties, having opportunities to hear language, take turns, and respond can be particularly important.

Constant questioning or correction can sometimes place more pressure on a child who is already finding language difficult. Modelling simple language, allowing extra processing time, and creating opportunities for back-and-forth interaction can make communication more comfortable.

The environment also matters. Background television and passive screen use can reduce opportunities for parent-child conversation and conversational turns. Creating quieter spaces and prioritising real interaction can help give children more opportunities to practise communication.

What activities can you do?

Try using more comments and fewer questions during play and everyday routines. Instead of asking lots of questions about a toy, model simple language such as “Big dog” or “Dog running.” This gives your child language to hear without making them feel like they are being tested.

Give your child time to respond. After modelling a word or phrase, pause for a few seconds before jumping in or answering for them. A little extra processing time can give your child an opportunity to communicate.

Keep your language simple and clear. Short phrases such as “Shoes on,” “Time to go,” or “More bubbles” can be easier for a child to understand and use.

Create opportunities for real interaction by turning off background TV when it is not being watched and making screen time more interactive when possible. Talk, comment, take turns, and respond to your child's communication.

Watch the video

In this video, we explore six common parenting habits that can unintentionally make language development harder, including asking too many questions, correcting constantly, using long sentences, filling every silence, background TV, and passive screen time.

We also share simple changes you can make at home to create more opportunities for communication, including modelling language, giving your child more time to respond, and increasing meaningful back-and-forth interaction.