Speech Therapy Activities at Home

What is Speech therapy?

Speech therapy is the process of assessment and treatment of speech and language problems by Speech specialists. It helps children and adults to speak clearly.

How can parents do Speech therapy activities at home?

There are many activities that parents can do at home which helps to improve speech development. These activities are selected according to the age of the children. Top five activities apply to all age groups.

1. Flashcards

   Parents can use the digital flashcards to motivate children to speak the words. Pictures and sounds help to remember the words. Parents should say the words loud and clear, it motivates children to imitate sounds of the words.

2. Talking

   Talking to children is a magical thing in speech therapy. Ideally, you should be talking to your child from birth. You can talk to them about any topic even if they are not responding. Engage them with some words and sounds.

3. Reading books

   Reading age appropriate books aloud with children helps to learn many words by looking at pictures. You can describe the pictures and objects with some hypothetical stories which may interest your children.

4. Making silly noise

   Making silly noise helps to articulate the sounds. It helps to do some exercise which makes the mouth flexible. These facial exercises help to practise some words.

5. Singing and music

   Singing and music encourages children to speak. Rhymes help to remember some words. These days we have an abundance of catchy rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle little star, Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, wheels on the bus going round n round etc.

6. Blowing bubbles

   Blowing bubbles is a way to do facial exercise. It strengthens the mouth muscles which are responsible for making speech sounds.

7. Blowing air in balloons

   Blowing air in balloons is another way to do facial exercise. It eases the mouth muscles to articulate sounds and words with regular practice.

8. Limit screen time and play outside

   We are surrounded by gadgets. Unlike adults, children are not aware that these gadgets have adverse effects on their mental and physical development. Speech development is also hampered if we expose children to excessive screen time. Parents should manage the usage of gadgets or devices with optimum control. On the other hand, we should play with kids outside in the backyard or park.

Parents can find more activities here.