7 Effective Speech And Language Therapy Strategies for Parents to Try at Home

Speech is a major aspect of human communication. Adults and children use speech to express their thoughts and experiences. Speech issues are common in young children which causes parents to rightly worry about their wellbeing and future academic achievement. Some children have difficulties with speech and language development due to inherited or acquired disorders. Speech and language therapy offers treatment and support to children who struggle with communication.

Untreated speech disorders can make it difficult for children to learn and communicate, affect their confidence, and make it difficult for them to socialize, among other things. It may cause children to feel angry, lonely, or even ashamed.

Speech therapy doesn’t just last for 60 minutes a week. The entire week should be spent honing these important skills through everyday practises. Children learn most effectively, move forward most quickly toward their objectives, and transfer new abilities to their home environment in this  way. Below are some strategies that you can use at home to encourage your child’s speech and language development.

1. Play Games

Play games that inspire your child to speak like 'I Spy'. Playing games with your child promotes both mental and physical development. They learn about desire, achievement, and disappointment from it as well. Every time you go out for a meal or to buy, play "I Spy" with your child. Ask them something like, "I spy something big and pink," or "I spy something oval-shaped in blue." Allow them to respond to your questions patiently.

2. Communicate

It's crucial to learn how to interact with a child who struggles with speech and language issues. Try to speak out loud and clearly. Set an example for your children and allow them to observe you in motion. In addition, if the child has trouble pronouncing a particular word, repeat it often. For example, if they have trouble saying the word "dinner," ask them "What will you have for dinner?" or "Let's go out today to have dinner."

3. Read Books

Start reading book to your child with large, colourful graphics that are age-appropriate. Reading to your kid promotes learning new words and boosts their vocabulary. Your kid will not only copy your words and gestures but also learn from them. Books with big colourful pictures also retain the interest of the child in the book. Ask things like, "What is this called?" and "What colour is this?" Let the child respond while you wait.

4.Tell Stories

You can simply make up a narrative out of your daily activities and tell it to your child, it doesn't have to be one from a book. Try to speak clearly, clarify tiny details, and use certain elements to keep the child's attention while narrating. This method encourages your child to talk and communicate.

5. Perform Facial Exercises

To help your child pronounce words, try to involve them in face muscle exercises. To provide the groundwork for communication, it is beneficial to develop the jaw and mouth muscles. Some workouts involve blowing bubbles and balloons, among other things.

6. Sing Songs

Encourage your kid to sing the song according to the tone of the music like calmy during the soft parts and loudly during high beats. It also helps your child to control the pace and loudness of their voice through singing. Sing songs that your child appreciates and always pause to ask questions like, "What do you want to listen to next? Or ' Please read the next line aloud'.

7. Listen To The Child

Never put pressure on a child who is unable to communicate effectively. In speech and language therapy, patience is crucial. Give your child some time to think before responding. Sometimes, listening is more important than speaking. Pay attention to what your child is doing and observe it. If something interest’s them, try to ask questions related to that topic. It may encourage them to speak and communicate more.

Why Do You Need Speech Therapy for Children?

For a child with speech disorders to develop holistically, speech therapy is crucial. It promotes social skills, helps children communicate more effectively overall, and makes it easier to function in daily life. As soon as a diagnosis is made, treatment should begin.

The goal of Hopscotch Child Therapy, a child and family guidance teleclinic founded in 2021, is to raise the bar for early intervention and mental healthcare services for kids and families while also making them more widely accessible. Therapists at Hopscotch are highly trained individuals with years of expertise. Not only that, but you can also choose the therapists after reviewing their profiles. To learn more about speech and language disorders in children, read our blog post here.

Worried about your child’s speech and language development? Book an appointment with Hopscotch Child Therapy today.

August 16, 2022