It is not uncommon for a child to have speech and language delays that may prevent him from communicating effectively with his peers. Although many children will outgrow their issues, there are times when intervention is necessary. Speech and language therapy can help your child learn how to express himself more clearly, which will increase his confidence and improve his social development.
Many parents are worried about making sure that their child receives the best possible education. One option is to ensure that he has speech therapy as part of his kindergarten curriculum. This can help him develop skills related to understanding written text and expressing himself clearly through spoken words. It may also help him read better and interact with other children more easily in social situations.
Speech therapy is a treatment for people with speech or language disorders. Common speech disorders include:
Stuttering, which is a problem with the flow of speech and may include problems with the rhythm of speech, prolonging sounds and syllables, repeating sounds and syllables, or interruptions in speech called blocks.
Language disorders refer to problems understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas. These disorders may include grammar (sentence structure), vocabulary (words), and the meaning of what is said (semantics). Language disorders can also affect reading and writing skills.
Articulation disorders are problems saying sounds correctly or omitting sounds. There are three groups of articulation disorders:
- Omitting sounds – For example, saying “tup” instead of “cup.”
- Distorting sounds – For example, saying “thup” instead of “cup.”
- Substituting one sound for another – For example, saying /w/ for /r/, as in “wabbit” for “rabbit.”
If you have any questions about your child’s communication skills or concerns that your child has a speech, language or hearing disorder, contact your child’s pediatrician or family doctor.
Many public schools offer programs that can help children who are having difficulty with speech or language development. These services are often provided by a speech-language pathologist who works with your child on an individual basis or in a group setting. The therapist will work with the child’s teacher, parents, and other school professionals to create an environment where he can communicate more effectively with others.
The purpose of speech therapy for kindergarteners is to introduce them to the building blocks of language, and teach them how to put those blocks together in different ways.
Children learn about their world through observation and interaction with others, and language acquisition is a natural part of this process. But some children need more help than others, with the mechanics of forming words and understanding what they mean.
For example: when a child constantly says “I’m finna go” instead of “I’m going,” they’ll have trouble communicating effectively. A speech therapist can help teach that child how to say “going” correctly by breaking down the consonant sounds in the word and helping them practice saying it slowly and carefully.
When a child has trouble with communication, it can be frustrating for both the child and the caregiver. Speech therapy helps reduce frustration and build confidence in your child’s abilities.