Speechy Life

By Brooke Heinz, Speech-Language Pathologist | School-Based Homework Assigner

One of the most common questions I get from parents is, ‘What can I do at home to help with speech sounds?’ I love this question – it shows you’re ready to support your child’s progress. The answer depends on where your child is in therapy, so I’ve put together a guide based on their current skill level.

Stage 1: Listening to Sounds

If your child can’t make the speech sound yet:

This is where we use a strategy called auditory bombarment. Auditory bombardment means giving your child a lot of exposure to the correct sound – without expecting them to say it. It helps them become more aware of the sound in speech and sometimes helps them correct the sound on their own. This is ideal for younger children (ages 0–5).

How to do it:

• You can read a list of words that have your child’s target sound at the beginning, middle, and end of the word while they play with something else. This link has a list of words for each sound.
• You can read sound-loaded stories
  • Here’s a link to a list of sound-loaded stories.

Stage 2: Practicing the Sounds

If your child can make the speech sound in words:

• Pull up a list of words with the child’s target sounds (home speech home has some great word lists sorted by speech sounds)
• Have the child practice this list for 2-5 minutes each day
• Gameify it by:
  • adding in board games/card games
  • doing jumping jacks
  • throwing a ball
  • assigning points to each word and challenging them to score more points than their last practice session.

Stage 3: Practicing in Sentences

If your child can make the speech sound in sentences 

• Give them a word with their target sound and have them make up a sentence about it. For example: ‘Put loud in a sentence.’
• Have them repeat sound-loaded sentences (tongue twisters are great for this!). Here’s a sentence you could use for the /s/ sound: ‘Sammy the snake slithered slowly.’

Stage 4: Practicing in conversation

If your child can say the sound in sentences but not in conversation, it’s time to work on carryover. This means helping them use the sound in everyday speaking. Download my free carryover handout for /r/ and /l/-blends below!

Tips for Success

• Ask your child’s speech therapist for a word list or specific homework ideas. Collaboration is key!
  
• Keep it short and sweet. Just 5–10 minutes a day is plenty.
  
• Make it playful. Turn practice into a game or offer a fun reward afterward.