Rebecca Wakeford Speech Therapy

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Rebecca Wakeford Speech Therapy

Paediatric speech therapy practice in Sinoville, Pretoria. Practices in Pretoria East (Die Wilgers) and Pretoria North (Sinoville).

Services in English and Afrikaans.

29/10/2025

No. There is a difference between ‘baby talk’ and ‘parentese’. Baby talk is ‘immature’ talking, with made-up words such as “Cute wittle shoesies.” This does not help your little one much as they aren’t hearing real words much of the time.

Parentese it is normal speech (with normal grammar), that involves real words, elongated vowels and exaggerated tones of voice. This gets your little ones’ attention and helps them learn language better.

28/10/2025

🧡

27/10/2025

Tips for Speech and Language Development:
PLAY

26/10/2025

Do bilingual children reach language milestones slower?
No. They reach milestones in the same time frame as monolingual children.

25/10/2025

Communication temptations are a great way to provide your little ones with opportunities to communicate. This is a strategy where you manipulate/ sabotage the environment so that your little one needs to communicate in order to get the result or desired item. This gives your little one a reason and opportunity to communicate with you.
Ideas:
- Put toys into a clear, hard to open box.
- Put toys in view, but out of reach.
- Hold pieces back when building a puzzle/ blocks.
- Give them a snack but ‘forget’ to open the packet.
- Give them breakfast but ‘forget’ to give them a spoon.
Tips:
- Think about what motivates your little one and use that.
- Encourage communication at their level (sounds, words, phrases).
- Wait for your little one before giving them the item.
- Respond to their communication attempts and model a better sound, word or phrase if they don’t use it correctly.

24/10/2025

We often want out little ones to speak to badly that we constantly bombard them with “What’s that?” or “What do you see?”. We need to remember that our little ones who are learning to talk need lots of repetition before they will use those words. Questions don’t give them the words they want to say and it may make them feel like we are testing them.

Instead, when they point name the object. Give them simple words, sounds, or phrases to describe it or request it. This will encourage your little one to possibly attempt to repeat you.

23/10/2025

I often say read to your child so why do I say you don’t have to ‘read’ the book…?
In order to encourage language development and initial vocalizations you can use the pictures in the book to create a fun interaction instead of just reading the story. Remember by keeping the activity fun and silly you will possibly keep your little one’s attention for longer.

Try doing this instead:
- ‘Sing’ the words.
- Make noises instead of saying the words (moo, wee, broom broom).
- Say ‘knock knock’ or ‘open’ before turning each page.
- Name pictures incorrectly and wait for a reaction.
- Wave or say ‘hi’ to the people in the book.
- Pretend to not see something in the picture.

22/10/2025

🧡October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

21/10/2025

🧡October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Address

147 Sefako Makgatho Drive, Sinoville
Pretoria
0182

Telephone

+27736008980

Website

http://rebeccawakefordspeechtherapy.medeweb.co.za/

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