The parent's guide reviews normal speech and language development and discusses ways in which parents of young children with language problems facilitate that development. Terms such as speech, communication, and receptive and expressive language are defined, and stages in receptive/expressive language development are charted. Implications for children with language problems are drawn, and parents are advised to use techniques of expansion, modeling, and complex sentences. The nature of otitis media (fluid in the middle ear) and consequences of recurrent otitis media on language development are discussed. Ways are suggested in which parents can help their children listen and pay attention (such as talking slowly with pauses between phrases, talking with enthusiasm, and establishing a quiet environment). Similarly, ways to help the child's speech (including expanding his/her vocabulary and working closely with the teacher) are listed. (CL)