Tips for Parents Archives - Kidz Steps Centre

Why Starting Early Matters: The Benefits of Early Intervention for Developmental Delays

Written by Sook Wah Chew on October 2, 2024. Posted in Early Intervention Program, Tips for Parents.

As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned when you notice your child isn’t meeting developmental milestones at the same rate as their peers. While every child develops at their own pace, some delays in areas like speech, motor skills, or social interaction may require early intervention. Acting early can make a significant difference in your child’s future. Especially when it comes to their readiness for school and life beyond. Developmental Delays: Why Early Intervention Matters Research and experience show that children with developmental delays start intervention programs by the age of 3 often have better outcomes than those who begin later. Early childhood is a critical period for brain development. The sooner a child receives support, the better their chances of closing developmental gaps. For example, consider a boy with developmental delays who started his intervention program at the age of 3. By addressing his needs early, his chances of being ready for primary...

Parenting Tips: Setting Boundaries Without Punishment

Written by Sook Wah Chew on September 24, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

In recent years, more and more parents are becoming aware that punishment often does not lead to long-term benefits when it comes to disciplining and educating children. This shift in understanding is crucial, especially for parents of children with special needs. However, this change in mindset has led some parents to face confusion. In their efforts to avoid punishment, they often struggle to set clear boundaries, which can result in their child becoming harder to manage over time. The key lies in understanding that while punishment may not be effective, boundaries are still essential. Children need structure, guidance, and an understanding of what is right and wrong to feel secure and develop properly. Without boundaries, children can feel lost, and behavior may become increasingly challenging to manage. This issue is even more critical for children with special needs, where consistency and clarity are necessary to foster growth and learning. The Misconception About Positive...

Speech Delays: How to Support the Development at Home

Written by Sook Wah Chew on September 8, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

Supporting children with speech delays at home can be a rewarding experience when the right activities are introduced to help with their speech development. Below are some activities that can be play at home to foster growth and development of speech. 1. Role-Playing to Improve Verbal Communication Role-playing activities such as pretending to be a customer at a fast-food stall, visiting the doctor, going grocery shopping, or taking care of a baby can greatly benefit children with speech delays. Through these scenarios, they can practice appropriate verbal responses, such as greeting others expressing their needs, answer questions or asking questions For example, by role-playing as a customer, a child can learn how to greet the cashier and order food politely. Visiting a doctor in a pretend setting gives them the opportunity to express how they feel and describe symptoms. These activities help improve not just their speech delays but also build confidence in communicating...

Development Delays: Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Written by Sook Wah Chew on August 20, 2024. Posted in Others, Tips for Parents.

When Should You Consider Getting a Diagnosis for Your Child? As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child needs extra help or if they’re just going through a phase. However, there are certain signs of delays that might indicate it’s time to seek a professional diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis early can ensure your child gets the support they need to grow and thrive. Here’s how to know when to take that step. 1. Missing Important Milestones Children grow and develop at their own pace, but there are some general milestones they should reach by certain ages. If your child isn’t hitting these milestones, it might be worth talking to a professional about the delays. Talking: By 18 months, most children can say about 10-20 words. By age 2, they should start putting two words together, like “want juice.”. By age 3, they will begin to answer questions from adults about ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘where’. If your child isn’t doing this, it could be a sign of...

Speech Delays and Autism: Unraveling the Connection and Misconceptions

Written by Sook Wah Chew on August 10, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

Understanding Speech Delays It’s natural for parent to be concerned when your child is not meeting developmental milestones. Especially in the area of speech and communication. One common worry is whether a speech delay might indicate autism. However, it’s important to understand that while many children with autism do experience speech delays, not all speech delays are related to autism. Furthermore, improving a child’s speech does not necessarily mean that all the challenges associated with autism are being addressed. Speech Delays and Possible Cause Speech delay is one of the most noticeable signs of autism. A speech delay simply means that a child is not developing speech and language skills as expected for their age. This can happen for various reasons, including: Hearing Issues: Children with hearing impairments may not develop speech at the expected rate because they cannot hear language well enough to learn it. Developmental Disorders: Besides...

Encouraging Writing Skills in Children with Autism

Written by Sook Wah Chew on June 18, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

It is common for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to resist writing or coloring. Many parents face the challenge of encouraging their children to engage in these tasks. Children might cry or throw away the paper and pencil, making it difficult for parents to help them complete homework or other writing activities at home. The possible reasons for these challenges include poor fine motor skills and a short attention span. Writing can be particularly challenging, leading to refusal and frustration. One effective way to address this is by taking a slow, supportive approach to help the child feel more comfortable over time. The goal is to make writing less daunting, so they can handle it without getting too upset. Here’s how parents can apply this approach in a practical way: Identify Specific Challenges: Understand what exactly makes writing difficult for the child with autism. It could be holding the pencil, forming letters, staying focused, feeling bored,...

Understanding Common Challenges Faced by Children with Autism

Written by Sook Wah Chew on May 28, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face a variety of challenges, which can differ widely from one child to another. Here are some common problems they might encounter: Communication Difficulties: Talking and Understanding: Some children with ASD might start talking later than others or may not talk at all. They might also find it hard to understand what others are saying. Using Language: They might struggle with using words in the right way or forming sentences. They might repeat words or phrases without understanding their meaning (called echolalia). Social Interaction Issues: Making Friends: They might find it hard to make friends or play with other kids. They might not understand social rules, like taking turns or sharing. Social skills: It can be difficult for them to understand other people’s feelings and thought. Most of them might seem uninterested in others and rarely interact with others . Repetitive Behaviors: Repeating Actions:...

Supporting Children with Developmental Delays Through a Structured Home Routine

Written by Sook Wah Chew on January 1, 2024. Posted in Tips for Parents.

For parents of children with developmental delays, navigating challenging behaviors of at home is a big challenge. Many parents find themselves grappling with situations where their child refuses to listen, engages in frequent tantrums, or exhibits unexplained bouts of crying. The frustration of being unable to secure their child’s compliance with simple instructions further compounds the daily challenges of parenting. To address these common parenting challenges, the implementation of a structured routine emerges as a valuable strategy. A carefully crafted routine has the potential to mitigate challenging behaviors at home by providing a framework that fosters predictability and stability. This article explores how a structured routine can serve as a proactive approach to creating a more harmonious and supportive environment for both parents and children alike. Routine promote stability for children with developmental delays Establishing a structured routine could...

Understanding the Differences Between Early Intervention Program and School Readiness Programs

Written by Sook Wah Chew on October 7, 2023. Posted in Early Intervention Program, Tips for Parents.

Early Intervention Program and a school readiness program are both educational initiatives, but they serve different purposes and target different age groups of children. Here’s how they differ: Target Age Group: Early Intervention Program: Early Intervention Program is designed for children above 2 years old. It focus on providing support and services to young children who have developmental delays. It aims to address developmental and learning challenges at a very early stage of a child’s life. School Readiness Program: School readiness programs typically target children who are approaching the age to enter formal schooling, usually above 5 years old. These programs aim to prepare children for the transition to school by building foundational skills and knowledge. Goals and Objectives: Early Intervention Program: The primary goal of the Early Intervention Program is to provide early assessment, intervention, and support to children with developmental...

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