The relationship between communication and a child's self-confidence

Language and communication skills are a child's gateway to the social world. Speech/language difficulties are associated with reduced interaction, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem in some children; early intervention improves communication and boosts confidence.

A typical intervention program (goal-focused structure):

1. Comprehensive assessment: speech examination, working language assessment, and observation of social communication.

2. Short-term goals (4–8 weeks): clearer sounds, simple sentence construction, and increased speech initiatives during play.

3. Medium/long-term goals: vocabulary expansion, use of turn-taking social conversation skills, and participation in mini-performances.

4. Confidence-building strategies: role-playing exercises, small-scale performances in front of a safe group, and constructive feedback exercises.

Practical measurement and impact tools: - Observations of the number of speech initiatives before and after intervention, standardized language assessments, and self-esteem scales (adapted for children). The literature indicates improved social interaction and self-esteem following speech/language interventions.

Tips for parents and teachers:

- Use open-ended questions and extended conversations at home.

- Give the child small, successful tasks (e.g., telling a short story to the family).

- Avoid direct criticism—use positive paraphrasing and language extension.