Today's children cannot express themselves. In decades of practice, I see a huge decline, warns the speech therapist<

"Most people think that the problem with children is poor pronunciation, but that is not the case today. Today's children are worried about not being able to speak properly, to express themselves. It is precisely these times that bring with them these problems. Televisions, telephones, tablets ... The parents sit their children with them and they do not want any verbal reaction from them, "says Zdeňka Koppová.

According to her, the reason is also that today's parents are overwhelmed. "They work from home, children behind their backs, they have to cook for them ... Time is very difficult. The last thing is that they would talk to the children. There is no time or mood for that, but children really miss it, "he describes.

The school requires that the child entering it be able to express himself, say what he wants, understand the question and answer it correctly. However, today's children lack these skills. "I have been working in the field for over 35 years and I can compare: there is a huge drop! We then wonder why the children fail in math and the like, but they do not understand the assignment. This is much more important than mere pronunciation, "emphasizes the speech therapist.

Windows of opportunity

There are times in children's brain development that experts refer to as "windows of opportunity." These are the times when imaginary windows open to gaining certain skills. They come gradually, at a certain age and offer an opportunity that needs to be seized.

For example, around the age of two, it's a speech. "If the child doesn't start talking at this time and the parents don't deal with it, they will say that it will come later, it will probably come, but perhaps at a time when other windows for other skills are to open. It may happen that if we miss some such opportunity in the child's life, we no longer have to fully catch up. This can make the problem more or less lifelong, ”explains Zdeňka Koppová.

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Pediatricians monitor the harmonious development of the child. It is with them that parents should consult with things they do not think. If necessary, the pediatrician will recommend a visit to another specialist, such as a speech therapist. "And then we do not only solve that pronunciation, but the development of communication skills as a whole," adds Zdeňka Koppová.

According to the speech therapist, the ability to communicate is a very complex problem. It is never too late to start developing it, but it is important to choose the right method.

"Careful mothers, as soon as they hear the instruction to talk to their children, understand that by putting on and talking. And what happens - the child turns off after the first three sentences. The mother is tired and the child has not taken anything from it. What is important for communication is ping pong. We say something, the child responds, the child says something and we respond. This is how mutual understanding develops nonviolently, ”he explains.

Listen to the entire interview with Zdeněk Kopp on the development of children's skills online, or download it to your computers or mobile phones for later listening.