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Things to Help Children With Speech Delay

The first few of years of a child's life are crucial in the development of language. Sometimes children experience speech delays during this developmental time because of a number of factors. Speech delay can be caused by oral impairments, oral-motor problems, and hearing problems. There are several exercises that you can do with a child who is experiencing speech delays to help overcome this obstacle and improve with language development.

  1. Blowing Bubbles

    • Blowing bubbles is a simple, yet effective exercise in developing your child's jaw and facial muscles. This activity will not only be entertaining for your child, but it will also encourage her to strengthen certain oral positions. This activity is especially effective with children who experience trouble saying /w/ sounds and long /o/ sounds. With frequent use, children with speech delays will have an easier time saying words such as "what" and "food."

    Talk Through the Day

    • It is important to use language in many everyday situations to support the speech abilities of your child. When you go to the store, name the items that you see or the items that you are putting into your shopping basket. When cooking or cleaning at home, describe the activities you are doing and what tools you are using. If you are driving the car, talk about the houses, buildings and people that you are passing. While doing this activity, encourage your child to participate, and praise any efforts she makes. Even if your child makes mistakes or is hard to understand during this exercise, affirming her will encourage her to keep practicing and trying.

    Straw Drinking

    • Having your child drink from a straw may seem like a rather simple exercise, but it will force her to practice using different muscles. Similar to the blowing bubbles exercise, jaw and face muscles are strengthened. In addition to the use of these important speech muscles, your child will also increase the use and strength of her tongue. As your child learns to use these important muscles, her ability to make certain sounds and words will increase.

    Finger Guides

    • Finger guides will help your child visually see what she needs to do to make certain sounds and words. Pronounce words or sounds that your child has a hard time making. As you say the word, repeat the initial syllable several times to emphasize the movement of your mouth when making the particular word. Point to your mouth so that your child's attention is focused on the speech movements. Point to your child's mouth to encourage her to mimic or repeat the sounds you have just made.

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