So, what is articulation? Articulation is the process of producing speech sounds. When a child has difficulty articulating sounds, it can impact their ability to communicate with others. This can make it difficult for them to form relationships and can impact their quality of life. 

That’s why speech therapy is so important. It can help a child learn how to produce the correct sounds for speech. This will help them communicate more effectively with others and will improve their quality of life. 

How Does Speech Therapy Help With Articulation in Children? 

Your child’s speech therapist will work with your child to improve articulation. This involves the therapist modelling correct sounds and syllables, as well as providing exercises for your child to practise at home. 

Your support is crucial in improving your child’s articulation. Make sure you practise the exercises the therapist provides, and be sure to praise your child when they make progress. 

Benefits of Speech Therapy for Articulation 

There are many benefits of speech therapy for articulation. One is that it can help improve your child’s clarity and intelligibility. If your child has trouble pronouncing certain sounds, speech therapy can help them practise the sounds correctly so that their speech is easier to understand. 

In addition, speech therapy can help improve your child’s communication and social skills. If your child has difficulty articulating certain sounds, they may feel left out or embarrassed when trying to communicate with their friends. Speech therapy can help them feel more confident when speaking and make it easier for them to interact with others. 

What to Expect From a Session of Speech Therapy for Articulation 

When you enter a session of speech therapy for articulation, the therapist will start by assessing your child’s current level of speech and what needs to be worked on. The therapist will then create a plan that focuses on correcting those speech sound errors. In general, the initial stage involves the therapist modelling the correct sounds and syllables in words and sentences while your child watches and listens. 

The middle stages of therapy involve practising production of individual sounds, with the focus increasingly shifting to more demanding contexts. At this point, the therapist may use stories and visual aids to support them in the carryover required for intelligible conversation. 

Strategies to Improve Articulation at Home 

If you want to help your child’s articulation further at home, here are some strategies to consider: 

• Begin by breaking words down into syllables and practise target sounds. Encourage your child to take their time and listen back to their own speech. 
• Co-construct sentences or stories with your child during therapy sessions. You can make this a fun game that incorporates target sounds! 
• Practise revision of words by having your child repeat the same words until they can say them without help. 
• Read material aloud together daily and work on pronunciation and articulation when words don’t sound right. 

These strategies are just the beginning of improving articulation. With guidance from an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist, you and your child will be on the path towards success! 

How Spring Forward Family Centre Children’s Speech Therapy Helps 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, we understand that when it comes to articulation, every child is unique. That’s why we tailor our speech therapy to each child’s individual needs. We use a variety of strategies and approaches to help children with articulation as well as their overall speech development. Our speech therapists are trained to work with children in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment. 

We use games and activities that are fun and age-appropriate so that kids can learn in an enjoyable way. We also give parents tips on how they can help their children practise the skills they’ve learned at home. 

With our help and support, your child will be improving their articulation quickly and efficiently – leading to more positive interactions with family members and peers. 

Conclusion 

If you’re suspecting that your child may need speech therapy, don’t wait to get them assessed. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome. Speech therapy can help your child to improve articulation and achieve their fullest potential. 

The post How Children’s Speech Therapy Can Help Improve Articulation first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.