Many children have difficulty forming certain sounds and words when they are young. However, if this issue is left unaddressed, it could impact their verbal interactions and educational success. Children with these issues often require speech therapy to help them communicate more effectively. The time the child spends with a specialist is important, but so are your support efforts at home. Below are the do’s and don'ts of helping your child correct a speech problem.

Do:

Encourage practicing.

Throughout the day, have your child practice making the troublesome sounds. Whether they lisp their "S" or their "R" sounds more like a "W," encourage them to practice the individual sound, all by itself. Gently correct them and guide their efforts to improve. Later, you can expand the practice to include entire words. 

Be patient.

The typical amount of time it takes for children to master phonetic articulation is 15 to 20 weeks, completing two 30-minute speech therapy sessions per week. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect immediate results. Exhibit patience, and look for slow, gradual improvement. You should also praise your child when they make the necessary corrections, as this positive attention can encourage them to continue their studies. 

Don't:

Interrupt.

You may be tempted to finish your child's sentences when they have difficulty speaking. This is particularly true if they exhibit a stutter. Refrain from cutting them off, try to have them complete their thoughts, and don’t get frustrated. This could make them self-conscious or anxious, and these feelings tend to slow enthusiasm for improvement or even worsen the problem.

Neglect Reading.

Kids love stories, and you can harness this to help them learn to speak more clearly. Choose their favorite book and read aloud to your child. Then have them read aloud back to you. Offer gentle guidance where they stumble or mispronounce a sound. This type of activity can be a fun way to connect before bed while also dedicating time to their speech therapy.

If you suspect your child needs professional speech therapy, contact The Road Home Therapy Center in Church Point, LA. Their accomplished speech therapists have treated patients from all over the state since 1978. They also offer occupational therapy and physical therapy. Learn more about them on their website or call (337) 684-6318 for a consultation.