Over half (55.2%) of U.S. children aged 3-17 with speech disorders received therapeutic interventions in the past year. Parents need to ensure that children get timely therapy help and equal parental support at home to maximise the impact of professional speech therapy.
Indeed, if parents actively participate in speech therapy activities and integrate them into daily routines, it helps the best to reinforce skills learned during sessions.
Let’s have a look at some tips for parents to deal with speech therapy for kids at home.
Support Speech Therapy With Respect to Child’s Age
Indeed, tailoring speech therapy to your child’s age is key to addressing their unique developmental needs. This ensures that the interventions align with their current abilities, which in turn, makes the therapy more effective and engaging.
Early, age-appropriate support not only fosters better communication skills but also boosts confidence and prepares them for success in social and academic settings. Stay involved, ask questions, and collaborate with the speech therapist to create a supportive environment at home.
Here’s how you can support your child’s speech with respect to their age:
Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten)
Parents should closely observe their child’s speech development and maintain open communication with teachers or caregivers in the early years. It is suggested to create a language-rich environment at home. Make sure to encourage expressive activities like storytelling and engage in play-based activities to foster healthy speech development.
Elementary School
Parents of elementary school children should collaborate with teachers, staying informed about their child’s speech progress in the classroom. Always support speech therapy homework, reinforcing learned skills through additional practice at home. All while emphasizing social communication skills to build a strong foundation.
Middle School
Parents should ensure that their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan is followed and encourage self-advocacy. Reinforce reading and writing as tools for improving speech and language skills, and guide them towards independent practice.
High School
Parents should collaborate with schools to ensure continued speech therapy support in post-high school endeavours. It is important to encourage independent practice and foster communication skills relevant to the workforce or college. Do ensure regular check-ins with speech therapists as well.
Quick Parenting Tips to Ensure Effective Speech Therapy for Kids
- Encourage open communication.
- Be patient and provide a non-judgmental atmosphere.
- Celebrate small achievements to boost your child’s confidence.
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
- Use proper grammar and vocabulary to provide good language models.
- Encourage your child to imitate correct speech patterns.
- Have regular conversations with your child.
- Ask open-ended questions to encourage longer responses.
- Be an active listener and show interest in what your child has to say.
- Read books together to help improve vocabulary and language skills.
- Discuss the story, characters, and events to enhance comprehension.
- Engage in activities that promote language development, such as board games, puzzles, and word games.
- Use toys and games that involve storytelling and imaginative play.
- Create a daily routine with consistent mealtimes, playtimes, and bedtime.
- Consistency helps children feel secure and can aid in language development.
- Praise your child’s efforts and improvements.
- Focus on what they are doing well rather than pointing out mistakes.
- Arrange playdates with other children to encourage socialization.
- Social interactions can stimulate language development.
- Reduce screen time, as excessive use of electronic devices may hinder speech development.
- Encourage activities that involve face-to-face communication.
- If you have concerns about your child’s speech development, consult with a speech-language pathologist.
Final Words
It is not hassle-free to deal with speech issues at home. Therefore, if you have concerns about speech therapy for kids, we encourage you to consult with our speech therapy professionals for a proper evaluation and personalized advice.
