NERS NEWS — Nursing Professional Education students from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Batch B27, conducted a health education session on Speech Delay in Children on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic of Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA). The activity aimed to improve the knowledge of patients and their families about speech delay, enabling them to recognize the early signs of delayed speech, understand its contributing factors, and learn appropriate methods of early stimulation and detection so that children can receive timely intervention.
The activity was carried out as part of the students’ clinical practice at RSUA. The session began with an opening and an introduction by the student presenters, followed by educational material covering the definition of speech delay, age-appropriate speech and language developmental milestones, contributing factors, signs and symptoms, potential consequences if left untreated, and strategies to stimulate speech development at home. The presentation also emphasized the importance of limiting screen time, encouraging two-way communication, reading storybooks, and involving children in active daily interactions. In addition, participants received information about the importance of developmental screening, hearing assessments, speech therapy, and multidisciplinary management for children suspected of having speech delay.
Throughout the session, participants showed great enthusiasm by paying close attention to the presentation and actively participating in the discussion. Several participants asked questions regarding the appropriate age to become concerned about delayed speech, the impact of gadget use on children’s language development, and the appropriate steps to take when a child does not reach expected speech milestones.
The educational session was conducted in an orderly and engaging atmosphere and concluded with a brief evaluation through oral questions, followed by a documentation session. The evaluation showed that most participants were able to explain the meaning of speech delay, recognize its warning signs, identify its risk factors, and describe several language stimulation strategies that can be practiced at home. These findings indicate that the educational session was well received and successfully improved participants’ knowledge.
Through this activity, parents and family members are expected to become more aware of the importance of monitoring children’s speech and language development according to their age, providing appropriate stimulation at home, and seeking professional healthcare consultation whenever signs of speech delay are identified. Early detection and intervention are expected to promote optimal child development and reduce the risk of long-term developmental problems.
Writer: Ananda Putri Pratiwi
