Parent Wins: Small Victories That Show Big Growth in Communication

To parents of kids with speech difficulties, it's the little moments that matter most. It's their child's first word, the first sound uttered after days of singing and playing together. It's the tiny interactions during breakfast, the small grunts of happiness after their parents get what they mean. 

These are "parent wins" - small yet meaningful moments when a child shows progress because of the efforts made by parents and caregivers.

Let us highlight these parent wins in this article. We will discuss practical parent-led strategies to help make these moments happen and learn techniques to turn these wins into massive victories. 

Why the Small Wins Matter Most

Progress in speech and communication is different. It's a gradual process, and sometimes it happens unexpectedly. It's not marked by big "aha" moments; it's the tiny accomplishments sometimes witnessed only by parents and caregivers that truly matter.

Small wins could be anything to parents. It could be their child making eye contact for the first time, asking a question, or imitating a new sound during play or storytime. These may seem insignificant, but they are powerful signs of progress.

These small wins motivate parents and inspire them to continue with speech therapy sessions. Our Parent Powered Communication Approach puts parents at the centre of their child's speech development. These small wins are recognised and celebrated every day.

How Parents Help Create These Wins

Our philosophy emphasises the role of parents in their child's speech and language development. Parents have the remarkable ability to help their children explore their environment and discover their abilities. We help parents make small wins happen, and we do it through the following:

• Modelling language

One of the strategies we employ is modelling language, a technique where parents or caregivers demonstrate a language skill to their child without expecting an immediate response. 

For instance, parents may sing songs about animals and each time the name of an animal is said, they imitate how the animal moves. They may move their hands to imitate how a fish swims while saying "fish" and hop like a bunny while saying "rabbit."

• Creating routine-based opportunities

Our strategies centre on the parent’s role in their child's progress. We use routine-based techniques, integrating communication and language practice into a child's everyday activities and routines. This approach combines therapy sessions with daily activities. 

For example, during mealtimes, parents identify food and describe its colour and taste. During car rides, parents can name the things they see on the road, such as traffic signs and even landmarks along the way, including directions to their destination.

• Using wait time

Parents are also taught the value of waiting, allowing their children time to express what they want or to formulate a response after a question or a comment. 

For example, after asking a child what they want to wear (a flowery dress or a shirt and denim jeans), they may pause for a few seconds to wait for their response. The wait time is a deliberate pause critical for encouraging communication development. 

Our coaches equip parents with the knowledge and skills to recognise these valuable moments and encourage open communication without requiring special tools or lengthy session hours. We make speech and development therapy accessible to families at home, where the child feels safe and cared for.

Turning Wins Into Momentum

Every small win matters, and each one of these little moments of progress can become a big victory. In addition to recognising these valuable moments, we prepare parents to turn them into lasting results.

Here are examples of how to turn wins into momentum.

• Creating a "communication win" journal

Parents are taught the value of journaling their children's communication wins. Each time they notice these wins, they write about them and note what made them happen. They also note succeeding events and use the journal to review their child's progress.

• Using a sticker chart

A sticker chart is a visible reminder of a child's progress. Each time they notice a win, they place a sticker on the chart to celebrate it. It's a simple way to say how proud they are of their child's development and note their progress. 

• Celebrating small wins

Every communication win calls for a celebration! Simple ways, such as cooking the child's favourite food, spending an afternoon at the park or beach, or choosing a movie for movie night, can be great motivators.

• Keeping hopes up during slow weeks

Sometimes, progress can be slow. It may take weeks for another communication win, and this is a normal occurrence. But this is not the time to falter. Our clinicians teach parents coping strategies, support them during challenging times, and help them reflect on their successes, giving them hope and motivation.

Every Win Is a Step Forward

Even the smallest moments can lead to big breakthroughs. You are the most important part of your child's speech and communication development. By being present, you boost your child's progress. Celebrating progress, you motivate them and help them aim for more victories. And by trusting the process, you build hope despite moments of slow progress.

We are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

FAQs About Recognising Communication Growth

1. How can I tell if my child is making progress in speech therapy?

Progress is different for each child. Focus on the small wins and little changes in their behaviour and communication patterns. Use a journal to note these wins and reflect on your strategies.

2. What are examples of small wins to look out for?

Small wins could be any change that you notice in your child's behaviour or communication. It could be making eye contact, saying their first word, asking a question, or joining singing, playing, or storytime sessions.

3. How do I track my child's communication progress at home?

Use a journal to track your child's progress. You may also use a sticker chart as a visible reminder of their progress and to motivate the family to join in.

4. Should I be concerned if progress feels slow?

Progress may feel slow, but don't lose hope. This is normal, and you should continue your activities. If you have any concerns about your child's progress, you may seek the advice of our clinicians.

5. How does First Words Together support parents emotionally during the journey?

We support parents through regular check-ins, home visits, and telehealth sessions and encourage them to contact us with any concerns about their children's progress.