Early Intervention

Let’s talk about something that might be on your mind if you’ve got a little one who isn’t talking as much as you expected—early intervention. Now, I know, that phrase sounds kind of official and serious, like something you’d hear at a hospital or in a meeting with a bunch of professionals. But really, it’s just a fancy way of saying, “Hey, let’s help your kiddo sooner rather than later.”

If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering, “Should my two-year-old be saying more than just ‘ball’ and ‘no’?”…you’re not alone! A lot of parents worry about their child’s speech development, especially when the comparison game kicks in. Your best friend’s child might be rattling off full sentences, meanwhile your little guy is standing there pointing and using other gestures to communicate . It’s stressful! But here’s the thing: every child develops at their own pace. Some kids talk early, some take their sweet time, and both can turn out just fine.

That being said, early intervention exists for a reason! If your gut is telling you that something is off, it’s worth looking into. The earlier we give kids a little boost with their speech and language, the better. Think of it this way: If you were learning a new skill, like playing the guitar, wouldn’t you want lessons before bad habits set in? Same thing with speech. The brain is super flexible when kids are young, so working on things early makes a big difference.

And let’s clear something up…speech therapy isn’t some rigid, sit-at-a-desk kind of thing. Your child will not be doing homework while wearing tiny reading glasses. It’s play-based! That means therapists use toys, games, and fun activities to encourage talking. If a therapist pulls out a bubble wand and your kid suddenly tries to say “bubble” instead of just pointing—boom! That’s progress!

One of the biggest myths about speech therapy is that it’ll make kids dependent on it or that they’ll “grow out of it” on their own. Can kids catch up naturally? Sure, some do! But others need a little nudge, and waiting too long can make it harder down the road. It’s like waiting to fix a leaky faucet. If you ignore it long enough, suddenly you’re dealing with a full-blown flood.

So, what can you do? First, don’t panic. (Seriously, put down the Google search on “signs my child will never talk” and step away from the phone.) If you’re concerned, reach out to a speech therapist for an evaluation. They’ll give you a better idea of what’s typical, what might need a little support, and what the best next steps are.

In the meantime? Talk to your kiddo. Narrate what you’re doing, sing songs, read books, and most importantly, have fun with it! Kids learn best when they’re engaged and having a good time.

Early intervention isn’t about labeling kids or stressing parents out. It’s about giving them the best tools to communicate and thrive!