The Mistakes Parents Make When Their Child Mispronounces
Whenever a child mispronounces a word, whether because of a physical difficulty or for any other reason, it is necessary to correct it. That way the child will be able to develop the language correctly.
It’s because? Correcting the mistakes is necessary for her to have a clear, correct and easy to understand oral expression. This is very important for the child not only in the short term, but also for the rest of his life. If the pronunciation is not corrected in time, it can affect even the little ones’ personality.
The Importance of Parental Teaching
Learning the language – and all its nuances – is not just the school’s duty. Parents must be responsible for actively contributing to their children’s learning in all areas. This includes language teaching.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the fact that a child mispronounces does not mean that he is doing poorly in school or that he has a mental disability. Parents often tend to increase the situation.
Actively participating in a child’s learning process is simpler than it sounds. In fact, you can start by encouraging a love of reading by singing songs or telling stories out loud.
While it may sound very simple, these suggestions are actually very effective in accompanying children and stimulating language development.
What you should NOT do when a child mispronounces
Not knowing how to act when a child mispronounces will put an obstacle in the development of his behavior. These are the most common mistakes you should avoid:
- Incorporate the wrong pronunciation into everyday language. It is true that when children are learning to speak, they will not be able to pronounce certain words due to lack of motor coordination. As cute as it is, it needs to be corrected so that there are no problems in oral expression.
- Use diminutives. Despite good intentions, pronouncing words in an “easier way” for the child to understand will delay learning and the development of normal expressiveness.
- Exclude articles in expressions and do not use prepositions. With this, the child will be confused when learning and their grammar notion can also be affected. Remember that language learning is directly related to what she hears and interprets.
- Not maintaining eye contact during conversations. Oral language is also made up of facial expressions that denote feelings and emotions. The child learns from the model as an example. So the fact that you stand at the same height and look at her when she speaks will allow her to look up to you. So you can naturally learn to speak and pronounce.
- Do not substitute the correct words with invented ones. The language must be understandable and the child must learn to call each object, animal by its correct name.
What to do to help children pronounce correctly
The example is very important. So remember what to do to help your child learn to express themselves properly. Write down the following steps to help your child:
1. Daily conversation
Try to talk to your child daily, even if it’s not for a long time. Create a healthy environment so that the child feels comfortable enough to express themselves.
This environment will help to correct the child in a clear and constructive way.
2. be patient
If the child has trouble uttering a word, stand in front of him calmly and say it slowly and clearly so that he can copy not only the sounds but also the movement of his mouth and tongue.
In addition to your gestures, ask them to repeat them a couple of times. It will be more than enough. If you need to try more times other days.
3. Ask a professional for help
If you think the problem with the wrong pronunciation is due to a physical impairment, you will need to see a professional. He will give advice on what to do and show you what solutions are available.
The wrong pronunciation can occur due to the lingual frenulum, for example. Your child may need to do joint exercises or wear braces for a while.
4. Spend time
When a child mispronounces, don’t ignore it. Correct the word with a clear pronunciation, looking her in the eye. Remember that you are there to help, not punish.
It may happen that you forget and don’t respond to your child’s mistakes in the best way, for example, laughing when you find some funny words. This is normal, but try to avoid it.
Daily effort and confidence will help you reach the goal! Courage!
