Tips for Successful Speech Sound Practice Between Therapy Sessions

As parents, we all want the best for our children, and when it comes to speech development, your involvement can make all the difference. Speech therapy can significantly help children improve their communication skills, but the progress doesn’t stop when they leave the therapy room. ​Research underscores the importance of consistent practice in speech therapy for achieving optimal progress. Consistent practice of speech sounds at home between therapy sessions produces more rapid progress and even sometimes being able to graduate from speech therapy sooner. Since speech sessions are 1-2 times per week, home practice is crucial for reinforcing what they’ve learned and accelerating their progress. To help make the process smoother and more effective, we’ve compiled some tips for successful speech homework practice that both parents and children can enjoy!

1. Set a Consistent Routine

Establishing a consistent time and place for speech practice can help your child know what to expect and make the task feel more manageable. Choose a time when your child is alert and not overly tired or distracted—this may be after a snack, after they finish their homework from school, or after they brush their teeth. After they brush their teeth is often our favorite time to recommend speech practice since they are in front of a mirror to provide visual feedback as they practice. Having a quiet, comfortable space with minimal distractions also sets the stage for focused practice.

2. Keep Sessions Short 

The attention span of young children is limited, so it’s essential to keep practice sessions brief but frequent. Break practice into manageable segments, such as 3-10 minutes of focused practice 1-2 times per day. Regular, shorter sessions tend to be more effective and less overwhelming which increases the child’s focus as they practice. 

3. Incorporate Play into Practice

Children learn best through play, and speech homework can be a lot more engaging when it’s fun! Use games, toys, and activities that your child enjoys to practice speech sounds, words, or phrases. For example:

• Flashcards: Create flashcards with pictures or words that your child is working on. Turn it into a matching game or race to see how quickly they can say the words correctly.

• Story time: Choose a book with repetition and practice specific words or sounds as you read aloud. You can also ask your child to "read" parts of the story back to you.

• Interactive Games: Simple board games like "Candy Land" or "Chutes and Ladders" can be a great opportunity to practice speech in a natural context. Incorporate target words or phrases while playing.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Encouragement goes a long way in speech therapy. Celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small, and offer positive reinforcement. This could be as simple as saying, "Great job!" or "I heard a great _ sound that time!" A reward system—like earning a sticker after completing practice—can also be motivating for younger children.

5. Keep Practice Successful 

We want to ensure we are practicing target words or sounds correctly. We will give you targets for homework that your child is successful with during their therapy sessions to reinforce during home practice. We want to avoid practicing sounds/targets incorrectly so if your child is having trouble accurately pronouncing their homework targets let us know so we can modify them to increase accuracy and success. 

6. Model and Practice Together

Children learn by watching others, so don’t be afraid to model the speech targets yourself! For example, if your child is working on saying certain words correctly, you can say them first and then encourage them to repeat after you. Practice together to create a supportive, cooperative environment. The more they see you engage with the activity, the more they’ll want to participate.

7. Stay in Communication with Your Speech Therapist

Your child’s speech therapist is a valuable resource in your child’s progress. If you’re unsure how to best support your child at home or if something isn’t working, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for guidance. Your therapist can provide additional resources, ideas for practice, or tips for overcoming specific challenges.

8. Remember: Progress is a Journey

Lastly, remember that speech development is a journey, not a race. Celebrate the small victories and be patient with the process. Your child is building important skills that will help them succeed academically, socially, and in all areas of their life. With consistent effort, practice, and your ongoing support, you’ll see progress over time.

Incorporating speech homework into daily life doesn’t have to be a chore. By following these simple tips, you can help your child make speech practice a fun, positive, and successful experience. With your encouragement and the support of your speech therapist, your child will be well on their way to reaching their speech and communication goals!

If you ever have questions or need additional support, don’t hesitate to contact us at HK Speech Therapy. We’re here to help every step of the way!