#asktheexperts my daughter 1yr7month old but yet she is not speaking

A. It's common for children to develop speech and language skills at different rates. Here are some strategies to help encourage and support your daughter's language development: ### Engage in Regular Conversation 1. **Talk Frequently**: Narrate your day and describe what you're doing, even if she doesn't respond. Use simple language and short sentences. 2. **Eye Contact**: Make eye contact when speaking to her to help her focus on your words and facial expressions. ### Read Together 1. **Read Daily**: Read age-appropriate books with colorful pictures. Point to and name objects in the book. 2. **Interactive Reading**: Ask questions about the pictures and encourage her to point to objects. For example, "Where is the dog?" or "Can you find the ball?" ### Sing Songs and Nursery Rhymes 1. **Songs**: Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes with repetitive phrases and actions. This helps with memory and language rhythm. 2. **Actions**: Incorporate hand movements or dances that match the songs to make it more engaging. ### Encourage Imitation 1. **Copy Sounds**: Encourage her to imitate sounds and words. Start with simple sounds like "mama," "dada," and animal sounds. 2. **Play Imitation Games**: Play games that involve imitation, like making animal sounds or copying your actions. ### Expand on Her Communication 1. **Repeat and Expand**: If she makes a sound or a simple word, repeat it back and expand on it. For example, if she says "ball," you can say, "Yes, that's a big, red ball!" 2. **Respond to Gestures**: Acknowledge and expand on her non-verbal communication. If she points to something, name it and add more information, like "That's a bird! The bird is flying." ### Create Opportunities for Speech 1. **Choices**: Offer choices and encourage her to use words to make decisions. For example, "Do you want an apple or a banana?" and wait for her response. 2. **Prompt Words**: Gently prompt her to use words instead of gestures. If she points to a toy, say, "Do you want the toy? Say 'toy.'" ### Play and Interaction 1. **Interactive Play**: Engage in interactive play with toys that encourage verbal interaction, like talking dolls or toy telephones. 2. **Peer Interaction**: Arrange playdates with other children to encourage social and verbal interaction. ### Limit Screen Time 1. **Screen Time**: Limit exposure to screens, as interactive play and conversation are more beneficial for language development. ### Be Patient and Encouraging 1. **Positive Reinforcement**: Praise her efforts to communicate, even if the words aren't clear. 2. **Avoid Pressure**: Avoid pressuring her to speak. Create a supportive and encouraging environment for her to develop her language skills at her own pace. ### Monitor Progress and Seek Help if Needed 1. **Track Development**: Keep track of her progress and any new words or sounds she starts using. 2. **Professional Advice**: If you're concerned about her speech development, consider consulting a pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation and personalized guidance. By creating a language-rich environment, being patient, and engaging in regular interactive activities, you can help support your daughter's speech development.