Speech Therapist's Giude for Parents

My Child Can Sing the Entire Alphabet… But Still Doesn’t Call Me “Amma” or “Appa”

(A Speech Therapist’s Heart-to-Heart for Parents in Whitefield, KR Puram & Bangalore East)

Every single day in my therapy room at Shikhar.app Whitefield, at least three or four parents sit across from me with the exact same confusion and pain in their eyes.

“Ma’am/Sir, my son is 3½ years old.

He can recite A to Z perfectly.

He counts 1 to 20 without mistake.

He knows all the colours, all the shapes, even all the planet names!

But… he has never once called me ‘Amma’.

He never says ‘I want water’.

He just pulls my hand, drags me to the fridge, and starts crying.

Why is my child not talking to me?”

If this is your story, please take a deep breath.

You are not failing as a parent.

You are not alone.

And most importantly — this is far more common than you think, especially among bright little children in our fast-moving Bangalore East neighbourhoods.

Let me explain what is really happening inside your child’s beautiful brain.

Speech Is the Roof. Connection Is the Foundation.

Imagine you want to build a strong house.

Can you start by putting the roof first and then add the walls later?

Never. The roof will fall.

In exactly the same way, saying words (“water”, “Amma”, “biscuit”) is the roof of communication.

Before a child can place that roof, they need solid bricks underneath — we call these the pre-linguistic skills (the skills that come BEFORE real language).

These invisible bricks are:

1. Joint Attention – wanting to share enjoyment with you by looking at your face

2. Eye Contact (even for a second)

3. Imitation – copying your actions and sounds

4. Turn-Taking – understanding “my turn → your turn”

5. Pointing to show or to ask

6. Waiting with anticipation

7. Sitting and attending for a few seconds

When these bricks are weak or missing (very common in Autism, Global Developmental Delay, or even simple late-talkers), forcing the child to “say water” is like trying to nail the roof to thin air.

The words fall out.

The child gets frustrated.

The parent feels helpless.

Why Does My Child Look Away When I Say “Look at Me”?

Almost every week a parent tells me:

“I hold his cheeks and say ‘Look at Amma, look here!’ but he turns his face away or starts crying.”

Please, please stop doing that.

For many children, direct eye contact feels like staring into a 1000-watt bulb — it is physically uncomfortable or even painful because of sensory processing differences.

Instead of forcing eye contact, become the most interesting thing in the room — more interesting than the ceiling fan, more interesting than the iPad.

That is the secret.

The Magic Game That Changed Hundreds of Shikhar.app Children: “Ready… Set… GO!”

This 10-minute daily game builds every single pre-linguistic brick — and children love it so much they beg for more.

What you need: Anything super-fun that you control

Best choices → soap bubbles, a wind-up toy, musical shaker, tickles, swing push, balloon, or a spinning top.

Step-by-step (takes only 8–10 minutes a day):

1. Sit face-to-face on the floor (no distractions, phone away).

2. Start the fun → Blow bubbles → “Wheeee! Pop pop pop!” → Huge smile, big energy.

3. Do it 3–4 times so the child is laughing and excited.

4. Now the magic pause → Hold the bubble wand right in front of your mouth, take a big breath as if you’re about to blow… and FREEZE.

5. Stay perfectly still. Smile warmly. Wait silently (count to 10–15 in your head).

6. Watch what your child does: → Shifts gaze to your face? → Reaches for the wand? → Makes any sound (“uh”, “ah”, “buh”)? → Taps your hand?

7. The very second you see ANY attempt to connect → immediately give the reward: blow the bubbles wildly and cheer “Yay! You asked! More bubbles!”

8. Repeat 10–15 times.

What parents notice in just 7–14 days:

• Child starts looking at your face to “ask” for more

• Child starts making sounds or even first words (“buh” for bubbles → “more” → “mama”)

• Child learns that people are the source of joy (not just toys)

We have videos of children who were completely non-verbal at 3½ years saying their first clear “Amma” during this game — tears of joy guaranteed.

When Should You Worry and Ask for Professional Help?

Mild late talking can be normal (especially in boys or bilingual homes).

But combine late talking with any of these red flags → reach out today:

• No pointing to show or ask by 14–16 months

• No consistent words by 24 months

• Loss of any words or social skills after 18 months

• Covers ears or extreme meltdowns with normal sounds

• Plays alone for hours, does not respond to name

• Lines up toys in perfect rows instead of pretend play

Early intervention (before 4 years) can change the entire trajectory of your child’s life.

The Good News You Need to Hear Today

Your child is not “refusing” to talk to hurt you.

Your child WANTS to connect — their brain just needs a different pathway.

I have seen hundreds of children in Whitefield and KR Puram go from zero words to full conversations because their parents stopped forcing words and started building the foundation with joy and play.

You do not need expensive toys or classes.

You only need 10 minutes of pure, silly, joyful connection every day.

We Are Right Here With You

At Shikhar.app Child Development Centre (Whitefield & KR Puram), we specialise in exactly this — turning pre-linguistic play into real words, sentences, and heart-melting “Amma/Appa” moments.

We offer:

• Free 30-minute screening calls

• Play-based speech therapy that feels like fun, not work

• Parent training workshops (next one this Saturday!)

• Combined Speech + Occupational Therapy packages when needed

Your child’s first real “Amma” or “Appa” is closer than you think.

Sometimes it just needs a few bubbles, a lot of patience, and the right guidance.

Take that first step today.

Drop by Shikhar.app or WhatsApp us — we can’t wait to celebrate your child’s voice with you.

Because the day your child looks into your eyes and says “Amma” for the first time?

That moment will be worth every worry you ever had.

You’ve got this.

And we’ve got your back.

With love and hope,

Your Shikhar.app Speech Therapy Team

Whitefield | KR Puram | Bangalore East