As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child succeed. If your child has been diagnosed with a speech disorder, you may be wondering what you can do to help them. Speech therapy is one option, but it can be expensive and time-consuming.
Luckily, there are many speech therapy techniques that you can do at home to help your child improve their communication skills. In this article, we will discuss 10 of the most essential speech therapy techniques for kids.
What Is Childrens Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is a type of rehabilitation that helps children (and adults) with communication disorders. It can help with problems such as stuttering, articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders, and voice disorders.
The main goal of speech therapy is to help people to communicate more effectively. This can be done through a variety of techniques, which we’ll go over in this article.
Benefits of Speech Therapy for Kids
Your child may benefit from speech therapy for many reasons. Speech therapy can help improve a child’s self-esteem and independence. It can also help prepare a child for school, improve their ability to connect with others, and reduce frustration related to being misunderstood. Ultimately, speech therapy can improve the quality of a child’s life.
Techniques for Early Intervention
If you’re noticing that your child is having some difficulty with speech, don’t wait to seek help. Early intervention is essential, and there are a few techniques that can help get your child on the right track.
One of the most important things you can do is create a language-rich environment for your child. This means talking to them as often as possible, reading books, and engaging in conversations. Keep things simple at first, using words your child is likely to understand. Gradually introduce more complex language as they gain mastery.
Another helpful technique is practising self-talk and parallel talk. This involves talking out loud about what you’re doing as you’re doing it. For instance, if you’re putting on your shoes, say “I’m putting on my shoes” aloud. This helps children learn to connect words with actions.
Encouraging Listening Skills
One of the most important things you can do to help your child with their speech therapy is to encourage active listening skills. This means making sure they’re paying attention to what’s being said to them, and not just hearing the words.
There are a few ways you can help promote active listening. First, make sure you have their full attention before you start speaking. Get down to their level, make eye contact, and use facial expressions and gestures to help get your point across.
Second, keep your message clear and concise. Use short, simple sentences and avoid using jargon or acronyms. Third, give them time to process what you’ve said before moving on. This means pausing after you speak, and not rushing them to respond.
Finally, provide opportunities for them to practise active listening. This could be something as simple as playing Simon Says, or charades. Games and activities like these are a fun way for your child to work on their listening skills while also having fun!
Enhancing Vocal Skills
You can help your child enhance their vocal skills by teaching them how to use their breath support when speaking. This will help them project their voice and be better understood.
To do this, have your child stand up straight and take a deep breath in through their nose. As they exhale, have them speak on the exhale. You can also have them place their hand on their stomach to feel it expand as they breathe in.
Enhancing Language Comprehension
Activities that encourage speech and language development can also help to improve language comprehension skills. This can be done by engaging in conversations with your child, listening to them when they speak, and reading stories together.
You can also help your child to understand new words by teaching them the meaning of the word, how to use it in a sentence, and providing them with examples of the word being used. It is also beneficial to encourage your child to ask questions about the words they hear.
Supporting Social and Emotional Development
While some speech therapy techniques are more focused on the physical aspects of speech, others are geared more towards social and emotional development. Here are some essential techniques to support your child’s social and emotional development:
- Model appropriate social behaviour. Show your child how to interact with others in a positive way.
- Encourage eye contact and joint attention. Help your child focus on others and make eye contact when communication.
- Play turn-taking games. Games are a great way to encourage your child to take turns and wait patiently for their turn.
- Praise your child’s successes. Celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how small, to help them feel motivated and encouraged.
- Help your child understand and express emotions. Talk about feelings with your child and help them find words to express themselves.
Conclusion
Helping your child with speech therapy doesn’t have to be difficult. Just follow these 10 essential techniques and you’ll be on your way to helping your child communicate better.
