Archives for January 2020

Speech issues are more common than you might think. If your child has trouble communicating at a level appropriate for their age, you should start taking steps right away. The sooner that you begin treatment, the easier it will be for them to get back on track.

Get Educated
Whether you’ve received an official diagnosis or simply noticed signs that your child isn’t speaking as expected, take a few moments to learn about the different kinds of speech disorders. Some children have difficulty making consonant sounds, and others can’t seem to speak with the same pitch twice. An unnaturally quiet child could be shy, but they could also have a resonance disorder that prevents their voice from reaching a normal volume.

Identifying the type of speech issue that your child has will help you seek the appropriate kind of treatment. Some speech disorders are related to underlying medical issues, but even if the cause isn’t known, nearly all cases can be resolved with timely professional attention.

Seek Treatment
Many speech issues are identifiable and treatable at an early age. In fact, waiting to see if the issues resolve themselves could cause your child to miss an important developmental window and make later treatment more difficult.

Start by talking to your pediatrician or family doctor. Once you’ve identified the source of your child’s speech issues, begin working with a specialist to resolve the problem. With professional assistance, your child may not even remember that they had difficulty speaking early in their life.

Talk and Listen
Children who struggle with speech need as much practice as possible. Have conversations with your child throughout the day. Model normal speech by explaining the things that you see, discussing your plans for the day, or even telling an anecdote from your favorite kid-friendly television show. Your child will listen to your speech patterns and use them to help develop their own.

Your child needs to exercise their vocal cords, so encourage them to talk as much as possible. This is a good chance to practice your active listening skills; your child should feel rewarded for holding up their end of a conversation. If you’re out of things to talk about, try reading a book together or engaging with and then discussing music, movies, and television.

Stay Patient
The causes of speech disorders are not fully understood. Although it’s important to seek treatment early, remember that these issues can take time to resolve. Speaking is a skill that must be learned, and your child may simply need more time to practice.

A speech issue diagnosis can be scary for you as a parent. As you address your own feelings on the matter, understand that your child may be equally frightened, frustrated, or confused. Be supportive, and make it clear that your child will always be accepted in the family. This will help them find the courage they need to develop and use their true voice.

Mental and physical health are interconnected. When you lead a healthy lifestyle, it’s much easier to manage and overcome the stresses that you face. Try adopting these simple habits to improve your physical well-being and create a healthy foundation for your future.

Make Time for Breakfast
One out of every ten Americans skips breakfast. This seemingly small oversight might actually be extremely detrimental to your health. Eating breakfast will increase your energy levels, improve your mental acuity, and reduce your risk of weight problems and heart disease. Even if it’s just a few bites, try to eat something at the start of every day; you might find that the rest of your health goals are that much easier to achieve.

Go for a Daily Walk
Daily exercise is important, and so is exposure to the sun. Plan to take a 10-30 minute walk every day, weather permitting. You can walk down to a nearby coffee shop on your lunch break, take your pet around the block a few times, or even use an after-dinner stroll as an excuse to spend quality time with your spouse. Change your walking path often to keep yourself engaged with new sights and surroundings.

Get Enough Sleep
If late-night projects and early mornings have you feeling drained, it might be time to reconsider your sleep schedule. Adults need at least 7-9 hours of sleep to function properly. Figure out how many hours you need to feel rested, and commit to getting that much sleep every night. You’ll immediately start to notice improvements in your energy levels, short-term memory, and overall health.

Eat Your Vegetables
Whether you like them fresh, frozen, or even canned, resolve to incorporate more vegetables into your diet this year. Look for choices that are high in fiber and nutrients like iron and Vitamin C. Try frozen favorites like green beans, broccoli, and pre-cut carrots. Fresh options include onions, leafy greens, and anything that’s in season. Even a single serving of vegetables with dinner every night should be enough to leave you feeling full, energetic, and in a good mood.

Good health comes from a balanced diet, a regular sleep schedule, and a mindful attitude towards your body’s needs. If you don’t feel good, think about whether you’ve had adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise in the last few days. By changing just a few habits, you can make sure you’re ready for any challenge that life throws your way.