If you’ve noticed that your kid isn’t speaking like others or struggling with self-expression, it may be quite concerning. But don’t panic! Many children pass through phases when their language skills can be more delayed, and therapy may well be what helps. In this blog, we’re going to dive deeply into what Therapy At Home truly is. We will also explore why it’s greatly important and how you can help your child at home with simple, absolutely fun activities.
Speech therapy is a therapeutic intervention designed with an aim to improve communication skills. It means collaborating with a skilled expert. That expert assists kids or adults to surmount difficulties connected to talking, language comprehension, or both of them. Speech therapy can address several issues, including articulation problems, language delays, stuttering, as well as more.
But don‘t think of it as simply “talking.” Speech therapy is usually customized to the individual needs of each child, and can assist with things such as:
Speech sounds (such as articulating “cat“ rather than “tat“)
Vocabulary and language abilities (being able to get ideas across clearly)
Listening and comprehension (becoming a better follower of instructions)
Social communication (using language in a conversation)
Speech Developmental Milestones by Age
Like all children develop physically at their own rate, the same happens with speech and language development. That being said, there are some general milestones that can help you determine if your child is where they should be. Here’s a brief overview of the average speech development milestones by age:
- 0-6 months: Infants coo and babble “oo” and “ah” sounds. They will turn their head or make eye contact in response to hearing their name.
- 6-12 months: Babbling begins (you know, like “ba-ba” or “da-da”), and your baby may begin to learn a few words.
- 12-18 months: Their first words of “mama” or “dada” may emerge. They will begin to understand basic commands, such as “wave bye-bye.
- 18-24 months: Your child will probably start combining 2 words, like “more juice” or “big truck.”
- 2-3 years: They can produce simple sentences like “I want cookie,” and their vocabulary expands to 200-1,000 words.
- 3-4 years: They start constructing more sophisticated sentences and become easier to communicate with by strangers.
It’s also worth noting that these are only guidelines, and children grow at varying rates. If you’re worried about your child’s speech development, you may want to consult a professional.
How to Assist a Child with Speech Therapy At Home
If you suspect your child has a speech delay, you do not need to wait for an official diagnosis to begin assisting them. There are numerous simple, daily means of promoting speech development within the home. Here are a few suggestions:
- Talk to Them Frequently
Even when they are not yet speaking, it’s extremely important to speak to your child. Label things you are doing, such as “Mom washing the dishes” or “What’s this thing right here!” That builds vocabulary and language knowledge in them.
- Read Together
Reading is among the most effective methods to stimulate speech development. Point to pictures and name the objects in the book. Ask your child questions about the book, even if they cannot yet respond. The more words they hear, the better.
- Play Pretend
Pretend play is an excellent tool for fostering language skills. Establish a pretend kitchen or a toy telephone, and have your child talk with their toys. This assists them in practicing the use of language in varied scenarios.
- Encourage Imitation
Children learn by imitation, so make sure to model correct speech for them. If they say something incorrectly, repeat it the right way, but don’t make a big deal out of it. For example, if they say “wawa” instead of “water,” simply say, “Yes, water!”
- Use Simple, Clear Language
It’s simple to get in the habit of using convoluted sentences, but children comprehend and learn language more effectively when language is plain. Rather than say, “Can you get me that cup off the table?” try saying “Get me the cup.”
How to do speech therapy at home?
If you’re seeking entertaining, engaging activities to treat your child, here are a few suggestions that will stimulate speech development:
1. Animal Sounds Game
Take out animal toys or pictures, and together make the noises of the animals. Encourage your child to repeat the noises. This is an entertaining way to practice producing and listening to sounds.
2. Sing Songs Together
Kids adore songs, and they are an excellent means of learning rhythm, new words, and repetition. Easy songs such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It” assist in reinforcing words and phrases.
3. Sorting Games
Design a sorting activity using various objects (toys, buttons, or shapes). Describe the objects and ask your child to describe them as they sort—”This is a red ball” or “I see a triangle.”
4. Flashcards
With picture flashcards, you can point to the picture and ask your child to say the word. Once he becomes comfortable, you can increase the level by asking him to use the word in sentences.
5. Story Retelling
When a book has been read or a TV show has been watched, have your child retell you what occurred. This assists in sequencing, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Using Tools and Resources
Though home activities are wonderful, there are also lots of tools and resources that can assist with your child’s speech development:
- Speech Practice Apps: There are a number of apps out there that can lead speech practice in an engaging and interactive manner, like Articulation Station or Speech Blubs.
- Children’s Books: Rhyming and repetitive phrase books can be particularly useful for training sounds and vocabulary.
- YouTube Channels: Channels like Sign Language for Kids and Speech Therapy Talk provide videos that teach children sounds, words, and language.
Working with Experts
If you find that your child is having more trouble than you would have anticipated, or if you just can’t tell if they need special assistance, it never hurts to talk to a professional. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can assess your child and develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs. Treatment could be in a one-on-one format, but there are also numerous online therapy options if that’s what works best for you.
Don’t be afraid to contact your therapists for suggestions. It is early intervention, and the earlier you start, the greater the improvement that your child will achieve.
Conclusion
Assisting your child with a speech delay does not have to be daunting. Through frequent communication with them, playing engaging speech-developing games, and seeking expert advice when necessary, you can assist them in establishing a strong communication foundation. Keep in mind that each child learns at their own pace, and some added support can go a long way in increasing their confidence and ability.
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development, don’t hesitate to talk to an expert. With the right approach, speech therapy can make a world of difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speech therapy can be practiced at home through activities such as reading out loud, playing with sounds, and promoting interaction through games.
Promote speech in your child by discussing daily life activities, singing rhymes, and repeating slowly for them to replicate.
Encourage speech by talking about things, speaking simply, building on what they say, and being positive about their attempts to communicate.
Yes, speech therapy has the potential to greatly enhance communication skills through enabling the child to develop more clear speech, a wider range of vocabulary and more effective social communication skills.