It’s not always easy to pinpoint which speech sounds your child might need help with, but don’t worry—we’ve got a simple, step-by-step guide to help you figure it out! Let’s dive in and get started. 🎉
Step 1: Make a List of Commonly Mispronounced Words ✍️📋
Start by writing down a list of words that you’ve noticed your child says incorrectly. Think about everyday words they use, including:
- Names (like “Sam” or “Riley”)
- Characters from favorite shows (e.g., “Elsa,” “Spiderman”)
- Foods (e.g., “pizza,” “cookie”)
- Toys (e.g., “doll,” “truck”)
- Verbs or action words (e.g., “throw,” “jump,” “hold”)
If you’re having trouble coming up with words, ask others who are close to your child (grandparents, caregivers, teachers) for any words they’ve noticed being mispronounced.
Step 2: Identify the Sounds They’re Having Trouble With 🎯
Say each word on your list out loud and listen carefully. Circle or write down any sounds your child is having trouble with. For example, if they say “tat” instead of “cat,” you might circle the /k/ sound.
Step 3: Check the “Tips and Tricks” in the Parent Portal 🛠️💡
Once you’ve identified the tricky sounds, head over to the Parent Portal and check out the “Tips and Tricks” for each sound. These tips will help you understand how the sound is made and give you strategies to help your child produce it correctly.
Step 4: Test the Sounds in Simple Words 🗣️📣
Using the words from your list (or simple three-letter words like “bat,” “sun,” “red”), see if your child can say the target sound correctly in single words. For example:
- If you’re testing the /s/ sound, try words like “sit,” “sun,” and “bus.”
- If you’re testing the /r/ sound, try words like “red,” “run,” and “car.”
How to Test:
Ask your child to say the word and listen carefully. Can they say the sound correctly without any help? If yes, awesome! If not, no worries—we’ll help you figure out the next steps.
Step 5: Ready to Practice? Let’s Go! 🚀🎮
If your child can say the sound correctly in single words, it’s time to start practicing at the word level. Here’s what to do:
- Open the Game Menu in At Home Articulation.
- Select the sound you want to work on.
- Choose the word position (initial, medial, or final).
- Pick the WORD level and choose a game to play!
This will help reinforce the sound and build your child’s confidence.
Step 6: Can’t Get It Right? Time to Try a Different Sound 🔄
If your child is struggling to say the sound correctly in single words, try the same process with a different sound from your list. It’s all about finding a starting point where your child can experience success and build from there.
Step 7: When to Contact a Speech-Language Pathologist 📞👩‍⚕️
If your child isn’t able to say any of the identified sounds correctly in single words, it might be time to reach out to a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). They can help assess your child’s speech and create a personalized plan to support their progress.
Step 8: Time to Start Practicing at Home! 🏡🎉
As soon as your child can say the sound correctly in single words, they’re ready to start practicing with you at home using At Home Articulation. Pick your game, have fun, and watch your child’s skills grow!
You’re all set! Remember, every bit of practice counts, and with a little patience and persistence, you’ll see great progress. Happy practicing! 🌟👏💬