For many parents, a child’s delayed speech or language can be quite a conundrum. Determining whether your toddler is simply a quiet late bloomer or in need of child speech therapy is a difficult and stressful decision. As Aiea, Hawaii’s trusted source for speech therapy for kids, Sounds of Success: Preschool and Learning Center recommends that parents concerned about their child’s speech or language development enroll them in lessons as soon as possible. After all, speech therapy for toddlers won’t harm children without speech-language difficulties—but it can offer substantial benefits both now and as they grow. Read on for insights from their certified speech-language pathologists on how speech therapy for toddlers can help kids later in life.

Fostering kids’ speech and language is about more than helping them communicate verbally. Young children who have difficulties putting together sounds or formulating language often struggle with early academics, as these skills are foundational for learning reading and writing. Speech therapy for kids helps children develop the tools they need to engage with both spoken and written language, so they don’t fall behind when it comes time to pick up books and pencils.

Child speech therapy can also be a vital player in supporting social development. Difficulties with speech and language can make social interactions uncomfortable, making building friendships difficult and diminishing self-confidence. Speech therapy for toddlers gives children the ability to engage with the world, preventing feelings of isolation, allowing healthy social skills to develop, and boosting self-esteem.

Without intervention, speech and language issues tend to create larger and larger development gaps as time goes on, so the earlier a child begins working with a specialist, the better. While some children do turn out to simply be late bloomers, the extra attention never hurts—and if your child has speech-language difficulties, it could be life-changing. Learn more about how speech therapy for kids could benefit your child by visiting Sounds of Success: Preschool and Learning Center’s website, or calling (808) 488-2211 with questions.