Speech therapy is an important part of helping your child develop communication skills. But it doesn’t have to be all work and no play! There are plenty of fun speech therapy exercises you can do at home to help your child progress.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is also a form of therapy that helps children with communication disorders. It can also help children who have trouble speaking or swallowing.
Speech therapy can be done in a group or one-on-one. It usually lasts for 30 minutes to an hour.
Your child might see a speech therapist if he or she has:
- A hard time saying certain words or sounds.
- Trouble using words to express thoughts and ideas.
- A hard time following directions.
- Poor reading skills.
- A hard time understanding what other people say.
- Poor writing skills.
Some speech therapists use special exercises and games to help children learn new skills. Others may use computers or other technology.
Fun Speech Therapy Exercises
If your child is having trouble with their speech, there are some fun exercises you can do at home to help them out! Here are a few ideas:
- Have your child practice saying tongue twisters. This will help them to enunciate more clearly and also improve their articulation skills.
- Play “I Spy” with your child, but focus on objects that start with a certain sound. For instance, you could say “I spy something that starts with the /b/ sound.” This will help your child learn to identify different sounds and improve their phonemic awareness.
- Have your child read aloud as often as possible. This will help them to practice their reading skills as well as increase their vocabulary knowledge.
- Play Word Ladder games with your child. This is a great way to help them learn new words and improve their spelling skills.
- Encourage your child to tell you stories. This is a great way for them to practice using proper grammar and sentence structure while also getting some creative juices flowing!
Lip Blowing
Lip blowing is also a great way to encourage your child to use their speech muscles. This exercise can be done with a straw, balloon, or even just by blowing on their own hands.
To start, have your child take a deep breath and then blow out as hard as they can through pursed lips. They can also hold their breath for a few seconds in between each blow. You can also have them do this exercise with short, quick puffs of air.
As your child gets better at this exercise, you can increase the challenge by having them blow objects around the room or even across the room. This is a great way to get them using those speech muscles in a fun and interactive way!
Jaw Dropping
If you want also to help your child learn how to make their speech more clear, then this is the exercise for you! For this one, all you need is a piece of candy. Have your child hold the candy in their mouth without letting it touch their teeth.
Then, have them say any word or phrase they want. As they do this, their jaw will drop slightly and the candy will move around in their mouth. This movement will also help them learn how to make the different sounds in words more clearly.
Tongue Twisters
If your child has also trouble with articulation, tongue twisters are a great way to help them practice. Here are a few to get you started:
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
- How can also a clam cram in a clean cream can?
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
Chewing Gum
Assuming your child can also chew gum, have them practice while reading aloud, or even better, while having a conversation with you or another person. This helps to improve the coordination between the muscles they use for chewing and the muscles they use for speaking. Speech therapy at home can easily be done.
Singing
Singing is also a great way to improve your child’s speech and language skills. Here are some tips for using singing as a speech therapy tool:
- Use simple songs that your child knows and enjoys. This will also help them to stay engaged and motivated.
- Add actions or gestures to the songs to help your child understand the meaning of the words.
- Encourage your child to sing along with you, emphasizing correct pronunciation of the words.
- Repeat sections of the song that contain difficult words or sounds for your child to practice.
- Have fun! Singing should also be enjoyable for both you and your child.
Reading Out Loud
When it comes to reading aloud, it is important for children to have a clear understanding of what they are reading. This can also be difficult for some children, especially if they are struggling with decoding or fluency. Exercise: Reading Out Loud can also help your child improve their reading skills and comprehension.
To complete this exercise, have your child read a passage aloud to you. As they read, stop them periodically to ask questions about the content. This will also help you gauge their comprehension and determine if they are truly understanding what they are reading. If they are also having difficulty, try having them reread the passage or break it down into smaller chunks. You can also provide assistance by reading along with them or helping them sound out words.
This exercise is also great for improving your child’s reading skills, but it’s also beneficial for developing their confidence and communication abilities. Reading aloud gives children the opportunity to practice expressive language and learn how to project their voice. It’s also a fun way to bond with your child and enjoy some quality time together!
How to Get Started with Speech Therapy
If your child is struggling with communication, you may be wondering if speech therapy is right for them. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering speech therapy:
- Talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. They can help you decide if your child would benefit from speech therapy and make a referral if necessary. You can search online about speech therapy clinics near me.
- Find a speech therapist who specializes in working with children. Ask about their qualifications and experience working with kids.
- Schedule an initial evaluation to assess your child’s needs. The therapist will observe your child and ask questions about their development and what challenges they’re experiencing.
- Develop a treatment plan based on the evaluation results. This may include exercises and activities to do at home as well as during speech therapy sessions.
- track your child’s progress over time and adjust the treatment plan as needed. With consistency and practice, you should see improvements in your child’s communication skills!
Tips for Parents
As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s speech therapy. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the therapy process:
- Make sure your child is comfortable with the therapist. It’s important that your child feels comfortable talking with the therapist and is able to open up about any concerns they may have.
- Be involved in the therapy sessions. While the therapist will also be doing most of the work, it’s important that you’re involved as well. This will help your child feel more comfortable and ensure that you’re both on the same page regarding goals and progress.
- Encourage practice at home. Speech therapy exercises should be fun for your child, so make sure to encourage them to practice at home as well. This will help them see progress and maintain their motivation throughout the therapy process.
The Benefits of Speech Therapy
- The Benefits of Speech Therapy
Speech therapy can also help your child in many ways. It can improve their speech and language skills, as well as their social skills. Here are some of the benefits of speech therapy:
- Improved speech and language skills.
- Better communication with others.
- Improved social skills.
- Increased self-confidence.
- Better grades in school.
Each individual child will also experience different results from speech therapy, but these are some general benefits that have been seen in children who undergo treatment.
Conclusion
These fun speech therapy exercises can also be done at home with your child to help them improve their communication skills. Remember to tailor the exercises to your child’s individual needs and always consult with a certified speech therapist before starting any new treatment plan. With a little bit of time and effort, you can help your child overcome their communication difficulties and reach their full potential.
