As a parent, you might often wonder how to capture your child’s attention during playtime. With a world full of distractions and endless energy, it can be a challenge to keep them focused. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help increase your child’s attention span and make playtime more engaging and productive.
The first step to enhancing your child’s focus is to minimize distractions. Choose a quiet space for playtime that is free from unnecessary noise and interruptions. Turn off the TV, put away gadgets, and limit background noise. A calm and organized environment helps your child concentrate on the task at hand.
Choose Appropriate Toys
Select toys and activities that match your child’s developmental stage, and more importantly their interests. Toys that are interesting for your child, not only capture their interest but also challenge their growing skills. Toys that are too advanced, or non-preferred, can lead to frustration, while those that are too simple may quickly bore them.
Set a Routine
Children thrive on routine, and setting a specific playtime schedule can help establish a sense of expectation and focus. Consistency in daily routines provides structure, helping your child transition smoothly from one activity to another. Over time, this routine encourages longer periods of focused play. But remember, even in routine, we should be going with the flow!
Emphasize Interactive Play
Interactive play, such as pretend play and following your child’s lead, involves active participation and is great for enhancing connection and concentration. These activities require your child to think, make decisions, and engage in problem-solving, all of which are key to developing attention skills.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Large tasks can be overwhelming for young children. Breaking play activities into smaller, manageable steps can help maintain their interest and prevent fatigue. Celebrate each small achievement to keep them motivated and eager to continue.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Encouragement goes a long way in building attention span. Offer praise and positive feedback when your child successfully focuses on a task. This reinforcement boosts their confidence and makes them more likely to engage in focused play again in the future.
Encourage Concentration-Boosting Games
Incorporate games and activities that naturally encourage concentration. Memory games, building blocks, and puzzles are excellent for developing focus. Activities like drawing, coloring, or playing with clay also help in enhancing attention and creativity.
Be Patient and Understand Age Differences
Remember, attention spans vary greatly by age. Toddlers may only focus for a few minutes, while older children can concentrate for longer periods. Be patient and adapt your expectations to your child’s strengths, developmental stage and unique needs. Celebrate their progress and enjoy the journey of learning together.
By integrating these practical tips into your routine, you can help your child build a stronger attention span during playtime. Remember, every child is unique, and with connection, patience and encouragement, they’ll develop the focus needed for learning and growth.
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
What are the stages of gestalt language development?
If you are curious to learn more about the six stages of gestalt language development, please click the button below.
Speech and language therapy plays a pivotal role in supporting children with speech delays or disorders to improve their communication skills and reach their full potential. As a parent, understanding how to navigate the world of speech and language therapy can significantly impact your child’s progress and development. In this blog, we’ll explore key strategies and insights to help you maximize the benefits of speech therapy for your child.
Maintain open communication with your child’s SLP to understand their goals, progress, and recommended strategies. Regular discussions can help align efforts between therapy sessions and home practice.
2. Consistent Home Practice:
Implementing exercises and intervention strategies/activities recommended by the SLP into your daily routine can reinforce learning and promote skill retention. Consistency is key to making progress.
3. Encourage and Reinforce:
Offer positive reinforcement and encouragement to motivate your child during therapy exercises and at-home practice. Celebrate small victories and progress to boost confidence and engagement.
4. Create a Language-Rich Environment:
Foster a supportive environment at home that encourages communication and language development. Incorporate play, narrating daily routines, and conversations to enhance your child’s skills outside of therapy sessions.
5. Track Progress and Set Goals:
Work with your SLP to establish clear goals and milestones for your child’s speech therapy journey. Regularly track progress, celebrate achievements, and reassess goals to ensure continuous improvement.
Do you feel like your child is speech, language and/or motor skills are regressing?
You will find out if your child is on track or if you may need some support.
The Role of Parents in Speech Therapy
As a parent, your involvement in your child’s speech therapy journey is invaluable. By actively participating, advocating, and supporting your child both during therapy sessions and at home, you can make a profound difference in their progress. Remember, every child progresses at their own pace, and with dedication and support, your child can achieve meaningful improvements in their communication skills.
Navigating speech therapy can be a rewarding and empowering experience for both you and your child. By following these guidelines and working collaboratively with your child’s SLP, you can maximize the benefits of speech therapy and help your child thrive in their communication journey. Together, you can unlock your child’s full potential and lay the foundation for successful communication skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
KAELYN GREEN
Kaelyn Green is a licensed occupational therapist at Valued Voices. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She is passionate about meeting children and families where they are at and seeks to tailor interventions to the unique needs of her clients. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
What are the stages of gestalt language development?
If you are curious to learn more about the six stages of gestalt language development, please click the button below.
As parents, we are constantly on the lookout for signs that our children are happy, healthy, and developing as they should. Yet, when it comes to catching early signs of developmental or learning challenges, it can sometimes be difficult to know what to look for, especially for first time parents. Early detection is crucial. Identifying challenges early on can make a huge difference in your child’s life, and as their primary advocate, you play a vital role in this process.
Early detection is key in identifying potential challenges in children. When issues are spotted early, there’s a much higher chance of successful intervention. Whether it’s a developmental delay or a learning disorder, the sooner it’s identified, the sooner you can begin supporting your child.
Improved Outcomes with Early Intervention
Research consistently shows that early intervention can lead to significantly better outcomes for children. Intervening early allows for:
Increased Connection: When provided with early supports, children become more connected to themselves and the world around them.
Better Academic Performance: Children receive the help they need to keep up with their peers.
Enhanced Social Skills: Early support helps children develop vital social and emotional skills.
Greater Independence: With early assistance, children often learn to manage their challenges more effectively, leading to greater self-sufficiency as they grow older.
Common Early Characteristics of Developmental Delays or Disorders
Understanding what to look for can help you catch potential issues early. Below are some common early characteristics, however, it is important that you take your whole child into consideration. Each child has their unique strengths and way of developing, and it is only when we focus on our child’s strengths and look at them as a whole (rather than comparing), that we unlock the keys to supports that will be most successful for connection and growth.
Sensory/Dysregulation Challenges: Sensitive to texture, taste, sounds, lights, etc., difficulty with changes in routine, or lack of interest in social interactions can signal areas that needs support.Read more about our occupational therapy services here.
Learning Difficulties: Struggling with academic concepts or having trouble following instructions.
The Role of Parents as Advocates
Parents are the foremost advocates for their children. If you suspect something isn’t quite right, trust your instincts. Here’s how you can advocate effectively:
Keep Records: Document your observations to discuss with healthcare providers.
Ask Questions: Be proactive in seeking answers and understanding your child’s needs.
Pursue Evaluations: Don’t hesitate to request evaluations for your child if developmental issues are suspected.
Often, parent will tell me that they went to their child’s pediatrician or another professional and were told to “wait and see.” If you hear this, go with your gut and keep seeking support until you find it. Reach out to speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and other professionals for guidance. If your child attends a public school, talk to your child’s teacher to point you in the right direction. At Valued Voices, one of our deepest passions is providing families with the education and tools they need to be the best advocates for their child. Whether you are looking for intervention for your child or just simply guidance on where to start and what to do, we are always here to support you.
The Importance of Regular Check-ups and Screenings
Regular pediatric check-ups and developmental screenings are essential in monitoring your child’s growth and development. These routine visits allow healthcare providers to track your child’s progress and identify any concerns early on. Staying consistent with these appointments ensures that any issues are addressed promptly.
If you are wondering if your child is developing on track in the area of speech, language, feeding, fine motor and/or gross motor skills, Valued Voices has got you covered. At Valued Voices we provide screenings to ensure that we are doing anything and everything we can to best support your child, which means supporting your family too.
Real-life Stories Highlighting the Impact of Early Intervention
Hearing from other parents who have walked a similar path can be incredibly reassuring and motivating. Consider these testimonials:
“I noticed my daughter wasn’t hitting her speech milestones, so I brought it up with her pediatrician. Early speech therapy has made a world of difference.” – Sarah, mother of Ava
“My son struggled with transitions and regulation. Early diagnosis and intervention with occupational therapy helped him develop strategies to succeed in school.” – Mark, father of Niko.
If you are wondering if your child is developing on track in the area of speech, language, feeding, fine motor and/or gross motor skills, Valued Voices has got you covered. At Valued Voices we provide screenings to ensure that we are doing anything and everything we can to best support your child, which means supporting your family too.
Do you feel like your child is speech, language and/or motor skills are regressing?
You will find out if your child is on track or if you may need some support.
Take Action Today
Empowering yourself with knowledge and taking proactive steps can make a significant impact on your child’s life. Early intervention is not just about addressing challenges—it’s about unlocking your child’s full potential.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait. Speak to a healthcare professional, reach out to support networks, and take the first steps toward early intervention. Remember, you’re not alone, and with the right support, you can help your child thrive.
For personalized guidance and support, consider booking a consultation with me, SLP and Owner of Valued Voices today.
Together, we can ensure your child gets the best start possible. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on your child’s future. Remember, every small step towards intervention can make a big difference in your child’s life. Let’s start this journey together and create a brighter future for our children!
Keep in mind that early intervention is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every child is unique, and their needs may vary. Trust yourself as the expert on your child and advocate for their needs. With early intervention, there is no limit to what your child can achieve.
SHOLEH SHAHINFAR
M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
KAELYN GREEN
Kaelyn Green is a licensed occupational therapist at Valued Voices. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She is passionate about meeting children and families where they are at and seeks to tailor interventions to the unique needs of her clients. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
What are the stages of gestalt language development?
If you are curious to learn more about the six stages of gestalt language development, please click the button below.
Encouraging Development While Connecting with our Planet
As adults, we want to raise children who are environmentally conscious. One way to do this is by teaching them about the importance of Earth Day and engaging them in fun activities that promote sustainability.
Here are some ideas for Earth Day activities that will not only teach your kids about protecting the planet but also encourage their development in various areas, such as speech, language, fine motor, gross motor, sensory processing, problem solving, and social-emotional skills!
Take your kids for a nature walk and explore the beauty of our planet. Talk about different plant and animal species you come across, discuss how they contribute to our ecosystem, and what we can do to protect them. This will not only help your child develop an appreciation for nature but also increase their knowledge about the environment.
Recycling Crafts
Get creative and turn old household items into fun crafts with your kids. This activity will not only teach them about the importance of recycling but also hone their motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. You can make bird feeders from old bottles, binoculars/telescopes from toilet paper rolls, pencil holders from tin cans, or even a robot sculpture from cardboard boxes!
Plant a Garden
Planting a garden is not just a fun activity for kids, but it also teaches them about nurturing and responsibility. Let your child choose their favorite flowers or vegetables to plant and take care of. They will learn about the importance of sunlight, water, and nutrients in helping plants grow while feeling proud of their accomplishments.
Beach Clean-Up
If you live near a beach, organize a clean-up day with your kids and their friends. This will not only help keep our oceans clean but also teach them about the impact of human activity on marine life. Encourage them to use reusable bags and say no to single-use plastics while picking up trash.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Challenge
Make sustainability fun by challenging your kids to a reduce, reuse, recycle game. For example, see who can use the least amount of water while brushing their teeth or come up with creative ways to repurpose old items instead of throwing them away. This will not only be educational but also develop eco-friendly habits in your child.
Volunteer at a Local Park or Garden
Teach your kids the importance of giving back to their community by volunteering at a local park or garden. They can help with planting, weeding, and other gardening tasks while learning about the different plant species in their area. This will also be a great opportunity for them to connect with nature and appreciate its beauty through an important sensory and motor based activity.
Upcycled Art Projects
Collect old magazines, newspapers, and cardboard boxes and let your kids unleash their creativity by making upcycled art. This will not only keep them entertained but also show them the value of repurposing items instead of throwing them away. You can also discuss how reducing waste helps protect our environment and wildlife.
Virtual Nature Scavenger Hunt
If you’re unable to go outside, organize a virtual nature scavenger hunt for your kids. Create a list of items for them to find in their backyard or neighborhood and have them take pictures of each item as proof. This will not only be a fun activity but also encourage children to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature around them. You can use your recycled binoculars on your nature hunt too!
Plant a Tree Together
Lastly, you can have regular discussions with your child about the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Encourage them to use reusable containers and bags instead of single-use plastics, and teach them how to sort and recycle items properly. By instilling these habits in your child, you are helping them become responsible and mindful citizens who care for the environment.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Lastly, you can have regular discussions with your child about the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Encourage them to use reusable containers and bags instead of single-use plastics, and teach them how to sort and recycle items properly. By instilling these habits in your child, you are helping them become responsible and mindful citizens who care for the environment.
Remember, small actions can make a big impact. By engaging in these activities with your child, not only are you encouraging their development, but also instilling values that will benefit our planet and future generations.
Let’s celebrate Earth Day every day by making small changes in our daily lives. Let’s inspire the next generation to protect and preserve the world we live in. Happy Earth Day! Keep spreading love and positivity towards our planet. Together, we can make a difference!
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
GENNA HENDERSON
Genna has been with Valued Voices since 2019, she joined the family after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in communication sciences and disorders from Pacific University in Oregon. Genna has always been passionate about helping give opportunities to others and believes all children have a joyous light inside them that deserves to be shown to the world. She knows that giving people the chance to express themselves allows them to reach new heights internally and in their communities.
In honor of Women’s History Month: I am Sharing 20 of My Fav Children’s Books About Strong Powerful Women Across the Globe
Reading to your children is a way for them to learn about the world and a way to empower them to dream of a future they can build. Find out more about the benefits of reading to your little one here.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I am sharing 20 books our team is reading with their kiddo’s about just a few, strong, incredible and influential women around the world. You can find books for your blooming babies to your budding teenagers. We hope you and your little one find joy, empowerment and inspiration as you connect with one another through these powerful books!
This book showcases the excellence and impact of Black women throughout history, their actions and beliefs contributing to making the world a better place for generations of girls and women to come.
This is an inspiring book telling the story of Swedish teenager and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Greta Thunberg, highlighting her work to raise awareness about the global climate crisis.
This book is for everyone who has dreamt big, but was tried to keep small. Empower your little ones to raise their voices and make their dreams come true.
This picture book will inspire your little learner to find magic all around them. Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, tells her story and journey to make the world a more peaceful place.
Through the story of Florence Mills, little one’s will learn how Florence not only used her voice to sing and entertain a global crowd, but to create awareness for equal rights.
This book tells the story of Dr. Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. This book will inspire little ones to use their unique skills to become influential stars in the world.
Discover how 40 influential Latina women have shaped our world today. From Supreme Court Justice to singers to NASA engineer, this book encourages your children to follow their dreams!
In this book of poems, illustrated by 13 extraordinary women, your child will be introduced to 14 revolutionary young women that have revolutionized our world and for generations to come.
This fun counting board book is perfect for your little one to be inspired by 20 amazing women who dared to be different and continue to shine in our world today!
Empower your child to tap into their strength, no matter what. Practice using mindful affirmation to support and encourage them to reach their highest potential.
In this engaging and interactive book, your child will be guided through the process of naming their emotions and tapping into the sensations within their body. Allow your children to turn inwards and connect to their feelings.
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
GENNA HENDERSON
Genna has been with Valued Voices since 2019, she joined the family after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in communication sciences and disorders from Pacific University in Oregon. Genna has always been passionate about helping give opportunities to others and believes all children have a joyous light inside them that deserves to be shown to the world. She knows that giving people the chance to express themselves allows them to reach new heights internally and in their communities.
Have you ever wondered at what age your child should be making certain sounds? Or maybe you have wondered why your child is mispronouncing some sounds but not others. Maybe others are having a hard time understanding your little one, and you are left wondering what you can do to help improve your child’s speech. At Valued Voices, our self-created Articulation Screenerhelps answer these questions for you. Articulation screeners are a great tool used by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) to identify which sounds your child can or cannot say and to determine if your child’s errors are developmentally appropriate or if they can use some support in the area of speech sound production. It is important to note, that a screener is a not a standardized evaluation, if this is needed, your SLP will certainly guide and support you in this direction.
Before we get into the details of articulation, articulation therapy and tips to support your kiddo, please understand that there are several other factors that can impact speech intelligibility, including but not limited to, hearing loss, oral motor deficits, sensory issues, and apraxia of speech. We will not be addressing any of these in this article.
Does your child have difficulty saying certain sounds? Is your child’s speech difficult to understand?
Children who demonstrate difficulty producing particular sounds and have difficulty being understood by others would likely benefit from a type of speech therapy referred to as articulation therapy.
Articulation is part of the “speech” side of speech and language therapy that involves the movement of our articulators (i.e. lips, tongue, teeth, jaw) to form speech sounds. Articulation disorders are characterized by the inability to properly form speech sounds, and can include one or more of the following production errors:
Substitutions: “tat” for “cat”
Omissions: “uh” for “up”
Distortions: “thoap” for “soap”
Additions: “buhlack” for “black”
Different sounds are acquired at different ages of acquisition, meaning each sound is expected to emerge and be mastered by a certain age. For a free copy of our speech sound chart, sign up for our email list today!
What is a Phonological Process?
Phonological processes are patterns of sound errors that children use to simplify speech as they are learning to talk. Complex words are simplified in a predictable way until the coordination of the oral motor muscles (i.e. tongue, lips, jaw, teeth, palate) develops to articulate clearly. For example, your child may produce “banana” to “nana” or “bue” for “blue.”
Phonological processes are considered age appropriate, until they persist beyond a certain age. For example, if your 5 year old still uses the phonological process of “fronting” (saying “tootie” for “cookie”) that would be considered delayed since most children eliminate that process by the time they are 3.5 or 4 years of age Further, a phonological delay may be considered if your child is using patterns of speech that are not expected in speech development.
If your child is using multiple phonological processes together, this usually decreases your child’s intelligibility, making them difficult to understand. Depending on the severity of your child’s overall intelligibility, this can result in in frustration, decreased motivation to communicate, and low self-esteem. An SLP can guide you and your little one by giving you strategies and exercises to help and to empower your child’s voice, because every voice deserves to be acknowledged.
If you’re uncertain how intelligible your child should be based on their age, take a look at our chart below. As always, keep in mind, milestones are meant to be a guide to support you and your kiddo. Each child has their own set of unique strengths and ways of developing.
Articulation Delay or Phonological Disorder?
Sometimes, it can be tricky to know if a child presents with an articulation delay or a phonological disorder, both of which are considered speech sound disorders. To put it simply:
Articulation disorders manifest when a child has difficulty producing a certain sound (or sounds) and can be remediated by addressing the sounds in error.
Phonological disorders are more complex, they are patterns in a child’s speech used to simplify speech sound production. Many children with phonological disorders present with unintelligible/unclear speech as they often present with multiple speech sound errors and phonological processes.
So, to sum it up:
A speech sound disorder is considered an articulation disorder when:
Speech sound errors persist beyond the average age of mastery
Intelligibility is mild to moderately impacted
A speech sound disorder is considered a phonological disorder when:
Phonological processes persist beyond the average age of elimination
Phonological processes/patterns are used that are not usually seen
Intelligibility is highly impacted due to use of multiple phonological processes
Remediation or therapy for each speech sound disorder will vary depending on each child’s case. Typically, children with an articulation disorder respond well to articulation therapy where sounds in error are targeted one or two at a time. Now, let’s dive a bit deeper!
What Does Articulation Therapy Look Like?
The first thing we want to know is what sounds is your child having difficulty with, most parents usually can list this without a problem. Here comes an extra layer: do you know what position of the word (beginning, middle, or end) your child is having difficulty with and do you know what sound they are substituting in its place? With a screener and/or formal articulation evaluation, an SLP can help answer these questions for you. But what’s next? Here are a few things we need to know:
Stimulability: Is your child stimulable for the sound given a direct model, meaning if they say “tea” for “key” and you give them a model for /k/, can they produce the sound with direct imitation? If so: CELEBRATE! This is a huge first step. If your child cannot imitate the sound, no need to worry, that just means we will have to do a little extra work with the articulators (tongue, lips, jaw palate, teeth, etc.) to get them just in the right spot, this is referred to as elicitation.
After a sound is learned, meaning your kiddo can imitate the sound, then practice the sound in isolation. Practicing a sound in isolation means saying the sound without adding a vowel. So, in our example above, your child is no longer producing “kuh” but they are just producing /k/ in isolation. Once your child can successfully repeat the sound with 90% accuracy, over a few times of practicing, you can move on.
After the step of isolation, move the target sound to syllables. This means that you are putting vowel sounds before and/or after the target sound, make sure to use all the vowel sounds-long and short. I always start where my kiddo is most successful. Taking our example target sound /k/, here is what this may look like:
o Initial Syllable Production: kee, koo, kay, ki, etc.
o Medial Syllable Production: akee, okoo, eekay, ooki, etc.
o Final Syllable Production: eek, ook, ak, ik, etc.
Once your kiddo can say the sound in syllables, you can move onto sounds in words, again, we are targeting all positions that are in error.
From there, you can move onto sounds in phrases, sentences, stories, conversation and finally…GENERALIZATION! Generalization is when your child uses their target sound across all contexts of language and with various communication partners.
How do I Support My Kiddo’s Speech at Home?
Articulation practice is all about teaching new motor patterns of our mouth, and to establish a new motor pattern you need daily practice! Spending 5-10 minutes a day, every day to practice these new motor patterns can significantly increase your child’s progress with their articulation skills. Below are some fun and engaging ideas to work on your child’s speech skills at home or on the go when they are not in speech therapy:
I Spy: This is a fun way to work on a target sound or sounds, while keeping it engaging for your kiddo! This is a great game to play in the car, on a walk, or in the comfort of your home.
Charades: Take turns acting out target words and guessing what the word is, this is great articulation practice!
Crafts: Make a craft (painting, necklace, flower crown, superhero cape, etc) and for each piece of the craft, practice your target sound.
Flashlight Search: Tape target words to the wall, turn off the lights and use a flashlight to find the words.
Roll-A-Dice: Roll a dice and say your target word that many times (you can use include this trick for any of the activities suggested here).
Scavenger Hunt: Search your home, park, restaurant, store, or car for things that include your target sound! Take a picture or draw the item to create your own sound book or self created worksheets! Then, practice the entire list including all your speech sounds.
Stacking Cups: Tape target words into cups and build a tower, see how many words you can say and cups you can stack before it falls down!
Bowling: Tape target words to the bottom of bowling pins or plastic cups and say the words that you knock over!
Basketball: Write down targets on a piece of paper, say the word, crumple up the paper and toss it in the hoop. If you want to bump it up and have your kiddo work on the next level (word, phrase, sentence, conversation), you can make those worth more points!
Picture Collage: Cut out pictures from magazines of things that include your kiddo’s target sound.
Mystery Box: Place items or photos that include your child’s target sound in a box, shake it up, describe it and have your kiddo guess what the object is using correct articulation.
Categories: Pick a category and name as many items in that category as you can that contain your target sound.
Go Fish: Use target sounds, making two copies of each word and play Go-Fish while your kiddo practices their target sound (you can use the same cards to play Memory too!)
Board Games: You can use any board game and practice target sounds on each turn.
Books: Using books is not only a great way to work on target sounds, but it is great way to work on language skills too!
Equally, if not more important than the fun games, is making sure we understand a few key elements that are necessary in establishing articulation practice at home:
Make speech therapy practice as part of your daily routine
Keep it short, aiming for 5-10 minutes a day. If you get at least 3 good practice times in over the week, you are significantly boosting your child’s progress towards their goals.
Frequency over duration! Three times a week for 10 minutes is better than one time 30 minutes.
Make it fun! Get the entire family involved or make it a special time with you!
Meet your child where they are at. Articulation is a hierarchy and so it is important you be practicing at just the right step for your child. If your child is in speech therapy, be sure your SLP is guiding you on exactly what level you should be practicing at home.
I always explain to families that although articulation seems simple, it in fact includes many layers and nuances that can make it quite complex. As always, if your child is having difficulty in this area, consult with a professional for some added support and see if speech therapy is right for your child.. Every child’s voice deserves to be heard and acknowledged, and with your help and support I know they will!
Sholeh Shahinfar is the founder of Valued Voices, and a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, she loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, and spending time with her family and friends!
