Summer Speech Therapy: A Guide for Parents

As the school year draws to a close, parents may find themselves wondering how to support their child's progress over the summer break. While the break from school may seem like a pause in therapy, it's actually a valuable time for continued growth and development. With the right strategies and resources, parents can help their child maintain and even improve their communication skills during the summer months.

Speech:

For children with speech sound disorders, summer can be an opportunity to focus on targeted interventions to improve articulation and phonological skills. Here are some strategies for parents to consider:

  1. Practice, Practice, Practice: Encourage your child to practice their speech sounds regularly in front of a mirror. Make it fun by incorporating games, activities, and everyday tasks. For example, play word games during car rides, practice tongue twisters together, or have a "speech sound of the day" challenge.
  2. Set Realistic Goals: Work with your child's speech therapist to set achievable goals for the summer months. Break these goals down into smaller tasks and celebrate your child's progress along the way.
  3. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to progress. Try to maintain a regular schedule for speech practice throughout the summer; only a few minutes a day can make an enormous difference in improving speech!

Language:

Children with language development delays may benefit from activities that promote vocabulary growth and overall language comprehension. Here are some strategies for parents to consider:

  1. Read Together: Reading with your child is one of the most effective ways to support language development. Choose age-appropriate books that interest your child and take turns reading aloud. Pause to discuss the story, ask questions, and explore new vocabulary.
  2. Engage in Conversations: Take advantage of everyday opportunities to engage in conversations with your child. Ask open-ended questions, encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings, and model correct grammar and sentence structure.
  3. Explore the Outdoors: Summer is the perfect time to explore the world around you. Take nature walks, visit the park, or go on outdoor scavenger hunts. Encourage your child to describe what they see, hear, smell, and touch, helping to expand their vocabulary and language skills.
  4. Play Pretend: Encourage imaginative play with toys, puppets, or role-playing activities. This type of play allows children to practice using language in different contexts and promotes creativity and social interaction.

Overall, summer can be a wonderful time for children to make progress in speech therapy. By incorporating these strategies into your summer routine, you can help your child continue to develop their communication skills and build a strong foundation for future success. Remember to stay patient, positive, and supportive throughout the process, and don't hesitate to reach out to your child's speech therapist for additional guidance and support.

Paul Rice, M.S., CCC-SLP