Enhancing Speech Therapy with WH Questions Through Story Time

I'm reaching out for some advice on encouraging my daughter to answer WH questions—specifically "who," "what," and "where." She's currently in speech therapy. This journey is filled with small victories and, at times, confusing setbacks. One common hurdle I face is getting my child to engage in conversations. Often, questions like "Who did you play with today?" or "What did you learn?" are met with a disheartening "I don't know" or "I don't remember."

While it can be tough, I know there are ways to encourage more meaningful interactions and help our daughter express herself more effectively.

I'm reaching out to seek advice so that we can find ways to support our daughter's journey through speech therapy and celebrate her progress, one small victory at a time. I would love to hear any tips or strategies that have worked. Your insights could be incredibly helpful as we continue our journey in speech therapy.

Using Books to Practice WH-Questions

A really effective way to encourage your child to engage in conversations and practice answering questions is through reading books together. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose the Right Book: Pick a book that is age-appropriate and interesting for your child. Books with vibrant pictures and engaging stories work best.

2. Ask WH-Questions: As you read, pause after each page or at the end of the book to ask WH-questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How). For example:

   • Who is the main character?
   • What is happening in the picture?
   • Where did the story take place?
   • When did this event happen?
   • Why did the character do that?
   • How did the story end?

3. Gauge Understanding: Pay attention to your child's responses. This can help you figure out whether your child is struggling with the concept of the question itself (e.g., understanding what 'Who' means) or if the difficulty lies in comprehension and recall.

4. Provide Support: If your child struggles to respond, provide hints or model the answer. For instance, "Who is the main character? Is it the girl with the red dress or the boy with the blue hat?"

5. Encourage Discussion: Encourage your child to elaborate on their answers. If they say, "The girl," follow up with, "What is the girl doing?" This promotes deeper thinking and conversation.

6. Praise Efforts: Always praise your child's efforts, even if the answers are not entirely correct. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages them to participate more.

Takeaway

Engaging your child in conversations can be challenging, but using books as a tool to practice WH-questions can make this process more enjoyable and effective. By asking questions during reading time, you not only help your child practice answering questions but also improve their comprehension and recall skills. Remember, patience and encouragement are key. Celebrate small victories and provide support when needed. Over time, you'll likely see an improvement in your child's ability to engage in meaningful conversations.

Happy reading and conversing!