Speech and Language Services
Speech and language services are available here at Garfield Elementary for children aged 3 years and older at no cost to the family through the Green Hills Area Education Agency. You or your child's teacher may request a speech screening whenever there are concerns. Within a screening the speech pathologist will observe the following: Articulation- how your child makes speech sounds. Language- understanding and using words. This may include vocabulary, grammar and following directions. Fluency (stuttering)- repeating of sounds, syllables or words when speaking. General difficulty getting words out.
You can help your child's speech and language skills to develop by:
- Encouraging your child to use language to express feelings, ideas, dreams, wishes and fears.
- Allowing opportunities to learn songs, rhymes or verses from memory.
- Talking to your child as you would to an adult most of the time.
- Continuing to read longer stories.
- Remembering that he/she will still understand more than he/she is able to say.
- Listening to your child when he/she wants to talk to you.
If you have any questions about your child's speech and language development, please contact Garfield Elementary office, or tell your child's teacher and you will be directed to the speech pathologist who will be happy to answer your questions.
Reading and talking about books with your child is one of the best ways to encourage speech and language development!