1. If your child is working on a specific sound, help him to become aware of that sound by pointing out things in the environment that contain the sound. You can do this in a number of ways:
a. Go on a "Sound Walk". Hunt for things in or outside of the house that have the child's speech sound.
b. Look through magazines for pictures or words that have his or her speech sound.
c. When driving, look for things with the child's sound.
d. Play a 20 Questions. Think of a word or object that has the child's speech sound. Have the child ask questions to figure out what the object is. If that too difficult, give the child clues and have him/her guess.
2. Once your child can say the sound correctly in words, have him/her practice saying some of those words for you. When that becomes easy, have him/her say them in sentences.
a. Spelling Search - Have the child search his spelling list for words that have his/her sound in. Say them aloud.
b. Silly Sentences - See who can make up the silliest sentence using one of your child's speech words.
c. Challenge Sentences - See who can make up the sentence using the most words containing the speech sound.
d. Tongue Twisters - Do you know a tongue twister that has your child's speech sound? Can you and your child make some up?
3. When your child is able to say his/her speech sound in words and sentences, have him or her begin to practice reading aloud using his/her sound correctly. For beginning
readers, have him/her read from his/her reading book or story books he/she enjoys. Try using poems, the Sunday Funnies, Comic Books, cereal boxes, signs, TV guide, video or board game instructions, anything your child enjoys reading. (This
will help improve reading skills too!)
4. Begin to encourage your child to use the sound correctly for short periods of time during the day. This is called "carryover". Can your child carryover good speech every time he/she says his/her sister's name? his/her pet's name? his/her favorite
food?
5. Once your child is able to use good speech for longer periods of time, try these conversational activities.
a. Make a phone call using good speech.
b. Use good speech all during supper.
c. Use good speech in the car on the way to practice, lessons, or school.
d. Use good speech while going over homework.
The keys are to keep speech practice fun and to teach your child that good speech is not just for speech class.
*Don't let speech practice become a source of conflict.
*Do not pick times when your child is tired or upset to expect good speech.
*Do praise your child as he/she acquires new speech skills. |
 |
 |
