Speech therapist (SLP) with client - pediatric

Free speech and language resources

Check out our tips and guides, learn how to identify speech and language issues, and help your child practice at home.

Tips for reading with your child

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Follow your child's lead

Let them pick the book, hold the book, and turn the pages.

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Ask questions as you're reading

Ask your child questions while reading, like "Where is the dog?" or "What will they do now?"

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You don't have to stick to the storyline every time

You can focus on the pictures, make up your own story with your child, or simplify the story.

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Talk about the pictures

Talk about the pictures, and point out things you see in the pictures.

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Use books with repetitive storylines

Repetition helps your child learn new words. You can also repeat any words your child is having issues with.

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Make personal connections

Talk about things in the story that relate to your child's recent experiences:

"The snowman is drinking hot cocoa. We had hot cocoa today too!"

Speech sound milestones by age

1
year old

You should be able to understand 25% of your child's speech.

2
years old

You should be able to understand 50% of your child's speech.

3
years old

You should be able to understand 75% of your child's speech.

4
years old

You should be able to understand 100% of your child's speech.

Speech Sound Milestones

Language Milestones

1
year old

Recognizes name, says 2-3 words, imitates words, and follows simple directions.

2
years old

Understands "no", uses many new words, combines 2 words, and makes wants known.

3
years old

Asks questions, combines nouns and verbs, answers simple questions, and uses short sentences.

4
years old

Can tell a story, ask "when" and "how" questions, use pronouns, use plurals, use 4-5 word sentences, and play make-believe.

5
years old

Can tell short stories, use adjectives, understands time (today, tomorrow), and most speech is grammatically correct.

6
years old

Follows and participates in simple conversations, answers open-ended questions, can retell a story, and identifies words that rhyme.

Tips for working on speech at home

Play I-Spy - Tips for speech therapy

Play I-Spy

Play I-Spy when driving in the car or going shopping at the grocery store or sitting a home, look for signs or items that contain your child's target sounds.

Play Board Games - Tips for speech therapy

Play Board Games

Practice your child's target sounds when playing board games together; your child can practice their sound before taking his/her turn.

Coloring and Drawing - Tips for speech therapy

Coloring & Drawing

Draw and color speech sounds or items containing speech sounds.

Example: target sound is /r/, draw a rat and practice saying the word “rat.”

Conversation Games - Tips for speech therapy

Conversation Games

Play conversational games such as Would You Rather or 20 questions while producing target sounds. Model correct production of sound for your child.

Reading, Books - Tips for speech therapy

Reading

While reading, help your student to identify words or label pictures that contain his or her target sounds.