Speech Development Tips from Harriet Koutsivitis MA.CCC-SLP
This week in the GPM Integrative office, we were joined by Harriet Koutsivitis, a Speech and Language Pathologist who met with some of our younger patients. Harriet works with kids of all ages to improve their communication and socialization through strategies that build upon multiple layers of physical and cognitive development.
Based on her work with our younger patients, we have compiled four tips to optimize the early stages of speech development:
1. Alternate your children between their backs and stomachs.
Tummy time: Laying your children on their stomachs helps strengthen their core and diaphragms. Doing so will allow them to effectively expel air to produce sound. A wider range of sounds can be produced from the tension formed when lying on their stomach.
Back: Laying your children on their backs can assist in the jaw grating movement necessary for proper enunciation and facial muscle development.
2. Feed from the side of the mouth, not the front.
Using the spoon with a lateral presentation while pressing down on the tongue will begin the development of the tongue moving in a posterior position. Babies have an anterior thrust to protect their airways during feeding. Using the spoon on the side also helps to develop a lip seal around the spoon in order to strip the food for a per oral swallow.
3. Make sure your child’s mouth closes as fully as possible during feedings.
When feeding your child, extra air space between utensils or nipples can contribute to poor facial muscle development and lead to excess air ingestion, which may make your baby gassy.
Pearl #4. Feed with the right spoon. Harriet recommends White Hot Safety Spoons for feeding, available on amazon.
Dr. Gabriel’s conclusion:
Harriet's advice was fascinating and useful for our patients, and we are excited to continue working with her! She noted an infant had a weak cry from another room because they had poor diaphragm strength. Why? Not enough tummy time spoken from the speech therapist!
