How Parents Provide Speech Therapy Support at Home

Speech therapy doesn’t stop when the session ends. In fact, some of the most meaningful progress happens outside the therapy room—during everyday routines, playtime, and casual conversations. The good news? You don’t need a degree to help your child develop their communication skills. With a little guidance, you can become your child’s best speech supporter—and Focused Speech, Inc. is here to show you how.

Here’s how to support speech and language development at home, one simple step at a time.

1. Talk—A Lot!

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk to your child. Narrate your day, describe what you’re doing, and label objects, actions, and emotions. Even if your child isn't talking back yet, they’re learning from every word you say.

Try this:

Instead of “Let’s go,” try “Let’s go to the kitchen to get a snack.” More words = more learning.

2. Model the Right Way (Without Correcting)

If your child says something incorrectly, avoid correcting them directly. Instead, model the correct version in a natural, encouraging way.

Child: “I goed to the park!”
You: “Wow! You went to the park? That sounds fun!”

This gentle reinforcement helps children learn without pressure or discouragement.

3. Turn Playtime Into Learning Time

At Focused Speech, Inc., we believe play is one of the most effective ways to build communication skills. Use everyday toys and games to work on sounds, words, and conversation.

Ideas:

• Use animal toys to teach sounds: “The cow says moo!”

• Practice turn-taking with board games.

• Play kitchen or store to explore action words and categories.

4. Read Books Together (Again and Again!)

Books are full of rich language, and repetition builds understanding. You don’t have to read every word—talk about the pictures, ask questions, and make predictions together. One of our favorite tools at Focused Speech, Inc. is wordless picture books. These encourage your child to describe what they see, make up stories, and use their imagination—all of which support expressive language.

Our Favorite Wordless Picture Books for Speech and Language Development:

• “Good Dog, Carl” by Alexandra Day
  Follow a helpful rottweiler and his baby companion through a day of adventure.

• “Flotsam” by David Wiesner
  A stunning, ocean-themed book that sparks curiosity and storytelling.

• “A Ball for Daisy” by Chris Raschka
  A simple, emotional story that invites conversation about feelings and problem-solving.

• “Pancakes for Breakfast” by Tomie dePaola
  A humorous story about a woman trying to make pancakes with unexpected twists.

• “Chalk” by Bill Thomson
  Magical drawings come to life in this imaginative playground adventure.

• “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs
  A gentle winter tale of friendship and wonder—perfect for describing sequences and events.

• “Journey” by Aaron Becker (and the rest of the trilogy: “Quest” and “Return”)
  These beautifully illustrated books encourage rich narrative language and imagination.

• “Tuesday” by David Wiesner
  Frogs flying on lily pads—need we say more? A fun, surreal story that invites wild descriptions.

Encourage your child to “read” the pictures and tell you what’s happening. You can ask open-ended questions like:

• “What do you think will happen next?”

• “Why do you think she’s sad?”
  “Can you tell me what’s happening here?”

Wordless picture books are ideal for building vocabulary, storytelling skills, sequencing, and imaginative thinking—and they’re fun for all ages!

5. Pause and Wait

After asking your child a question or making a comment, pause for 5 seconds. This gives them time to process and respond. You might be surprised what they say when given the chance!

It might feel awkward at first, but waiting teaches turn-taking and builds confidence.

6. Use Visuals and Gestures

Many children understand more than they can say. Using gestures, signs, or picture cues can support communication and reduce frustration—especially for late talkers or nonverbal children.

At Focused Speech, Inc., we often introduce simple visuals for families to use at home. If you’re not sure where to start, just ask your therapist for suggestions.

7. Practice, But Keep It Fun

If your child is working on specific sounds or language goals, short and playful practice sessions work best. Five minutes here and there throughout the day is all it takes.

Try practicing during:

• Bath time (“Wash your arms! Wash your legs!”)

• Mealtime (“I want more ___.”)

• Car rides (“What do you see?”)

• Bedtime stories

 8. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Accuracy

Praise your child for trying, even if the word or sound isn’t perfect. Encouragement builds motivation and self-esteem.

Say things like:

• “I love how you used your words!”

• “That was such a good try!”

• “You’re working so hard!”

9. Stay Connected with Focused Speech, Inc.

Your child’s therapist is your partner in this journey. If you’re not sure what to focus on at home, reach out! At Focused Speech, Inc., we love helping parents find creative ways to practice at home and make communication a family activity.  Whether you’re in weekly sessions or just starting out, your support at home makes a big difference.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need special equipment, flashcards, or long lessons. By talking, playing, reading, and listening with intention, you're building your child’s communication skills in the most natural way possible.

At Focused Speech, Inc., we believe every parent has the tools to help their child thrive—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

You are your child’s first—and most important—teacher. And you're doing great.