Embarking on a journey to enhance communication skills through Speech Therapy is key to fulfilling an individual’s true communication potential. While the guidance of a skilled Speech Pathologist is invaluable, transformative progress often happens beyond the therapy room. In this article, we will delve into the importance of home practice and explore why it is essential for individuals on the path to improved communication abilities.
Consolidation of skills:
Repetition is the key component that helps turn newfound skills into actions of second nature. Home practice provides opportunities for the individual to rehearse and consolidate what they have previously learnt in therapy sessions within a familiar environment. Just as a musicians practice scales to master an instrument, consistent practice sharpens speech and language skills and is key to strengthening neural pathways associated with improved communication, articulation, and language comprehension.
Increased Frequency of Practice:
Home practice provides additional opportunities for the individual to engage with learnt speech and language material. By practicing what was learnt in the therapy session again at home, the individual has more opportunities to apply learned tips and techniques contributing to faster and more consistent communication abilities.
Generalisation to Real-Life Situations:
There’s an undeniable sense of empowerment that comes with actively contributing to one’s own progress. Home practice places the potential for improvement firmly in the hands of the individual, fostering a sense of independence and self-efficacy. As individuals take charge of their speech journey at home, they become architects of their own success, building a foundation of confidence and motivation that extends beyond the realm of language.
Practicing session material at home is not just an extra task – it’s a key part of getting better at communicating. By practicing regularly, using your new skills in real life, and feeling confident and independent, you unlock your full potential to speak clearly and confidently. So, let’s start this journey of improving talking skills at home – a journey that goes beyond words and helps you communicate with more clarity, confidence, and joy.
Resource Spotlight
See below for some fun ways to utilise common toys to develop a child’s speech, language and social skills at home.
Early Language: Wooden hammer-pound cube
You can use this toy to teach a range of speech, language and early cognition skills, such as:
- Giving 2 choices (e.g green ball or blue ball?)
- Basic concepts (e.g. colours, shapes)
- Prepositions (e.g, in, on, behind, in front)
- Taking turns (e.g my turn / your turn)
- Following directions (e.g. first put the blue ball then the orange ball)
- Sounds (e.g. ‘b’ for ‘ball’ / ‘bang’, ‘m’ for ‘my’)
Preschool age: Beware of the Bear
This game is filled with engaging graphics, bright colours, unpredictable action and an exciting “pop” element which works wonders to sustain a child’s engagement to develop a range of speech and language skills, such as:
- Verbs (e.g. open, close, pop, put)
- Turn-taking (e.g. my turn / your turn)
- Following directions (e.g. before you take the honey pot, take the green bear)
- Prepositions (e.g. above, in, out)
- Sounds (e.g. ‘s’ à ‘some’, ‘Sam’)
- Imaginative play
School-Aged: Shopping List
This matching game is a great way for school-aged children to develop a range of speech, language, and cognitive skills, such as:
- Following directions (e.g. ‘before’ / ‘after’)
- Pronunciation of multisyllabic words (e.g ‘banana’, ‘tomato’, ‘capsicum’)
- Vocabulary related to fruits, vegetables, cleaning supplies etc
- Social skills (e.g. exchanging ideas, brainstorming, collaborative play)
- Negatives (e.g. on my list / not on my list)
