Ever find yourself wondering whether your kiddo should be talking more? Talking differently? Or just... talking in general? Speech and language development is so different between kiddos that sometimes it can be hard to figure out what's normal and what might need a bit of a nudge.
One of the first things to check when speech seems delayed is your child’s hearing — even mild hearing loss can affect how kids learn to talk. If you haven't yet checked hearing, check out this article with useful tips.
Assuming you’ve checked hearing and all is well, that’s when a speech pathologist comes in.
A speech pathologist aids children with communication in all respects: speaking, understanding, listening, interacting and even early eating skills. You'd be surprised at how numerous areas fall under the speech patholigist heading. When we're talking about kiddos this would include:
In essence, a speech pathologist lays the groundwork for strong communication, which is key for social, emotional and cognitive development.
There isn’t a checklist that fits every child, but here are a few signs that might indicate it’s time to take a closer look:
Sometimes, it's not about a dramatic delay or ticking off a list of milestones. Often, it's just that quiet feeling that something isn't quite right. And if you have that feeling, it's always wise to check it out—either to rule out any concerns or to address potential issues early on.
Sometimes, what looks like a communication issue can actually be more about how your child processes sensory information. If a child feels overwhelmed by sounds, movement, or touch, they might withdraw, seem distracted, or struggle to stay engaged, making it harder for their language skills to grow. This is where a paediatric occupational therapist can help. If you’re curious about how sensory processing might be impacting your child’s communication or behaviour, you can read more in this blog post about OT support.
Music and language processing use overlapping neural networks—listening to and creating music primes the brain for language development. It’s like giving your child a double workout for their brain, preparing them to process words and meaning even before they speak. This idea is at the heart of what we explore in our music and movement classes at Busy Bees. By integrating rhythm, melody, and playful movement, we create an environment where the foundations for language are naturally nurtured.
Music inspired movement lessons overlap and enrich communication in so many ways:
Busy Bees classes, along with other enriching activities like playgroups, storytime programs and parent-child programs, provide body-aware, language-rich environments in which to nurture speech and communication.
Sometimes, with lots of song, story and bonding, children may still need a bit of a helping hand. Music is a great starting point,but it can never be a replacement for one on one therapy if that is required. If you're noticing ongoing trouble with communication or interaction, a speech pathologist can also look beneath the surface, assess what's actually going on, and create a specialized plan to assist your child in addressing his or her individual needs.
If you're not certain whether or not your child would benefit from seeing a speech pathologist, you don't need to wait for a referral. A brief consultation can clarify things or reassure you, and accessing support early on often makes a huge difference down the line.
If you’re looking for speech pathologists who value child-led, floor-based interaction, here are a few we recommend. Each one takes a connection-first approach—something that fits beautifully with the way we work here at Busy Bees.
https://www.facebook.com/smithfieldspeechpathology/
https://www.resonateholistic.com.au/
Just for Kids Therapy servicing Bankstown and Cabramatta and also online and mobile (languages spoken include Vietnamese and Korean) https://justforkidstherapy.com.au/
