National Speech, Language, & Hearing Month: What Parents Should Know

Why Does National Speech, Language, & Hearing Month Matter?
Speech and language skills don’t just affect how a child talks—these skills influence how children understand others, express their ideas, and succeed across environments. Hearing also plays a critical role in children’s development. Even mild hearing impairments can impact speech development and learning.
Early Signs to Watch For:
Parents are often the first to notice when their child isn’t hitting developmental milestones. Consider seeking guidance if your child:

Isn’t babbling or using gestures by 12 months
Has limited vocabulary compared to their same-aged peers
Struggles to follow directions
Is difficult for others to understand

Talk, read, and sing with your child regularly
Encourage turn-taking in conversations (pause regularly to allow your child time to process and respond)
Expand on what your child says (if your child says “dog!”, respond with “yes, that’s a big brown dog!”)
Limit screen time and engage in more face-to-face interaction

When to Seek Help:
If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, Wee Speech offers comprehensive speech and language evaluation to assess your child’s skill level. Early intervention is key for building communication skills!
A Month to Take Action…
The month of May is important for building awareness surrounding speech, language and hearing development. Your impact can go a long way, whether it’s scheduling a free screening or spending more time reading at home, small steps can have a lasting impact.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an evaluation, our clinic is here to help support your child’s communication journey!