Parents frequently inquire about the causes of their child’s developmental delays and seek solutions. It’s important to acknowledge that developmental delays can have various origins, including genetic conditions, neurological factors, sensory processing disorders, or environmental influences. While pinpointing the exact cause of delays can be complex, it is often observed that many children with developmental delays exhibit a deficiency in pre-learning skills, which are fundamental to the learning process.

Pre-Learning skills: Attention

Pre-learning skills serve as the building blocks for more complex academic and functional abilities. At our early intervention program, we prioritize the development of these skills to ensure children can learn and succeed in their educational journey. Among the key pre-learning skills, attention skills stand out. Many children with developmental delays struggle to maintain focus, not just during play or with toys but also in their interactions with others. Since children learn about the world through the people around them, improving attention skills becomes our primary focus. We have observed that children in our intervention program progress faster after enhancing their attention skills.

Pre-learning Skills: Imitation

Another essential pre-learning skill is imitation. During the early stages, children are remarkable observers and imitators. They learn a great deal by observing the behaviors, actions, and language of those around them, particularly their parents. However, children with developmental delays often face challenges in imitation. This difficulty goes beyond merely not knowing how to imitate; they struggle to imitate effectively. For instance, a child may have trouble following through on a demonstration of brushing teeth. Poor imitation skills not only impact self-care abilities but also hinder speech development. Communication is often taught to young children through imitation, making our imitation program a crucial component of our early intervention. Many non-verbal children start speaking once they make progress in their imitation skills.

Pre-learning Skills: Play Skills

Play skills represent another important pre-learning area. Play offers children opportunities to engage in social interactions, practice turn-taking, sharing, and cooperation. When child lacks play skills, initiating and sustaining play with peers becomes challenging, resulting in difficulties forming friendships and participating in social activities. Poor play skills can also impede communication development. In our early intervention program, we incorporate various play activities to help children improve these skills. Play fosters verbal and nonverbal communication, which is crucial for language development. Through play, children learn to express themselves, listen to others, and engage in meaningful conversations. As children enhance their play skills, their language and communication abilities also improve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we may not always identify the root cause of developmental delays but we understand how to address and enhance them. By providing appropriate support, your child can learn and make significant progress. Contact us now to learn more about our early intervention program and how we can help your child thrive.

Learn More:

The Benefit of Early Intervention

What parents can expect when their child received a diagnosis

Autism or Speech Delays

Success Stories