Dr. James MacDonald 332 Mimring Columbus, Ohio 43202 Phone/Fax 614 447-0768 macdonaldj86@gmail.com

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Children Talking to Themselves

Barbara asked me to comment on a concern many are having; their children talking to themselves.

Why do you think that would happen?

Watch your child and consider if some of the following reasons might apply.

  1. It feels good to his muscles.
  2. He likes hearing the sounds.
  3. Others are not doing all the talking.
  4. He knows he won't be interrupted.
  5. He is free to say whatever he can.
  6. He enjoys practicing the new skill of sounding.
  7. He is imitating how others talk.
  8. He's pretending to talk to his toys.
  9. He's telling a story.

So you may be surprised that there are so many positive reasons. Now the problems; Too much self talk will isolate the child and mark him as unusual and he will not be communicating.

Children often talk more to themselves than to others, with the other people dominate interaction with so much talk that the child has no chance to talk.

TREAT YOUR CHILD'S SOUNDS LIKE THE MOST VALUABLE TOYS TO PLAY WITH HIM.

If he is talking to himself, get in there and accept anything he says with no corrections; your job is to teach him to be a constant social sounder who learns that any sounds will effectively get your attention.

TRY THE FOLLOWING.

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Dr. James MacDonald 332 Mimring Columbus, Ohio 43202 Phone/Fax (614)447-0768 macdonaldj86@gmail.com