Parents

My child is in school speech-therapy. What can I do to help?

I am so glad you asked! As a parent I have heard and believe it to be true (as you are taking the time to explore this webpage) that you want the best for your child. As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I also want the best for your child as well as all of the educators present in your child's life. The best for your child may look different than what is best for another child because we are all individuals. Therefore, it is important that everyone work together as a team in order to determine what your child needs to succeed. 

There are several things you can do as a parent that I cannot do as a SLP in the schools. You are with your child more often than I can be and can naturally work on speech and language goals during everyday activities. Below you will find some links and websites you can visit to help your child practice their speech-language goals. I would also like to list some things you can do as you go about your regular day to help stimulate your child's speech and langauge skills. Lastly, if you have any specific questions you can email me at: lphillips@union.k12.sc.us

As a parent I can:

  1. Review the IEP for a list of the goals my child is working on. (This way you know what he or she is working on in speech and you can work on it at home as well to promote progress)
  2. Complete and return all homework with your child that is sent home from speech therapy.
  3. While driving practice speech sounds in words by naming car colors and makes, things you and your child see while driving, singing songs, etc; While cooking, practice naming foods used, utensils used, following directions (ex: "Jack" give me the cup and spoon on table), requesting (ex: if "Jack" wants some cookies, "Jack" must ask for cookies using his best speech sounds before getting the cookie), commenting (ex: You say, "Mhm, these cookies taste great (delicious, good, sweet, etc) and give "Jack" time to comment as well); While cleaning up talk about the cleaning products you are using or the cleaning items you are using to clean up; While watching TV talk about the words used and what they mean, what the TV show is about, try to guess what will happen, etc
  4. Read with your child everyday pointing to pictures and naming pictures, ask your child to read to you, ask questions about the story
  5. Always praise your child for their efforts and encourage them to do their best.
  6. Do not demand your child to perform or do things that he or she may not be able to do but challenge them to do a little more than what they can do to keep them moving forward. (Ex: "Jack" can say the k in book  when saying the word by itself but not in conversation, that's okay ask "Jack" to practice other words that rhyme with book with k in the final position of words to practice the k sound.
  7. Remember to have fun and let your child know that they are special!

 

Links you can visit with more examples for everyday activities you can do to help your child's speech-language development:

Links to help you and your child learn how to produce speech sounds he or she are working on: