What can I do at home while we wait for speech therapy?

Supporting communication through daily practice

Hello, let’s explore how you can help build your child’s communication skills through daily interactions. Whether or not you choose to see a speech therapist, there are many games and routines you can include in your everyday activities.

Fun activities to support speech

Let’s start with some fun activities that can make a big difference. Playing games like “I-spy“, singing nursery rhymes, looking at books together, and reading bedtime stories are fantastic ways to strengthen your child’s communication skills. These activities make learning enjoyable and provide a natural context for practising speech. For example, playing “I-spy“ can help your child focus on specific sounds and words, boosting their vocabulary and attention to detail. Singing nursery rhymes, on the other hand, can improve rhyme, a skill important in sound awareness.

Implementing routines

Implementing routines to support speech is another effective strategy. Repetition within daily routines like breakfast time, bath time, and bedtime can reinforce your child’s speech skills. During breakfast, you might repeatedly use words related to food, utensils, and actions like ‘eat‘ and ‘drink‘. At bath time, you can talk about the different bath toys and actions like ‘splash‘ and ‘wash‘. This repetition helps solidify these words in your child’s vocabulary and makes them more comfortable using them in everyday conversations.

Modelling words

Modelling words and discussing things you both see is a helpful way of strengthening communication skills in everyday situations. When you model speech, your child learns by listening to how you form words and sentences. Describe what you are doing, seeing, or thinking in simple terms. For example, if you are playing with a toy car, you could say, "Look, the car is going fast!" This helps your child hear and learn new words in a meaningful context. The more you talk about your surroundings and activities, the more opportunities your child has to learn and use new vocabulary. Consistent modelling of speech provides a strong foundation for developing speech.

Practical tips for home-based support

Now, let’s look at some practical tips to support speech at home:

1. Avoid correcting your child’s speech sounds or asking them to say it again. Instead, repeat the word back to them naturally. For example, if they say "tar," you can respond with "Oh yes, that’s a car”. This approach encourages your child to keep trying without feeling self-conscious about mistakes.

1. Focus on what your child is saying, not how they are saying it. This encourages them to communicate more freely without worrying about making errors. It’s the content of their message that matters most.

1. Use a slow pace when talking with your child. Speaking slowly and clearly gives them time to process and understand the words. It also models the correct way to say words, providing a clear example to follow.

1. Reduce background noise when you are talking. Turn off the TV, tablet, or music to create a quieter environment that makes it easier for your child to focus on your words.

1. Remember that each child develops at their own pace. Patience and encouragement are key. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, to build their confidence and motivation.

By incorporating these activities and strategies into your daily routine, you can help strengthen speech awareness and production. Your involvement makes all the difference, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Thank you, and see you next time!

This is a topic from the SuperPenguin app, made for families who use it. These are ordinary things families can do together: they are not speech and language therapy, and they do not replace the appointment you are waiting for.

Next step: families use SuperPenguin through a participating service, or through their postcode where Postcode Access is commissioned. See how to get access on the Family access page.