The Secret to Stress-Free Speech Practice at Home

When you hear the word "practice," what comes to mind?
 

For me, it’s Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000 hours” rule from his book Outliers. He suggests that becoming an expert at anything requires 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. As a school-based speech-language pathologist, I know that one to two 30-minute sessions a week just isn’t enough when it comes to learning the motor movements for speech sounds. So, how do we fill that gap? Practice at home is the key to helping your child stabilize their newly learned speech sounds.

You’re probably thinking, “This makes sense, but how do I make it happen?” Don’t worry! Here are my 3 simple tips for getting your child to practice their speech sounds at home—without the struggle. If you want your child to get the most out of speech therapy, practicing these small motor movements outside of therapy is essential.

1. Stay connected with your child’s SLP.

Whether your child receives speech therapy at school or at a clinic, it’s important to keep communication open with their speech therapist. Reach out regularly to get updates on which sounds your child should practice at home. Therapists typically recommend practicing sounds that your child has mastered in therapy, so you’re reinforcing accurate production. A quick email, note, or chat with the therapist can give you the guidance you need to make home practice effective.

2. Make practice part of the routine.

Once you know which sound(s) to focus on, tape a list of the practice words to the bathroom mirror. It may sound unusual, but having the list in a visible spot will remind both you and your child to practice at least twice a day—think of it like brushing teeth! If your child isn’t reading yet, you can say the word and have them repeat it. Aim for about 2 minutes of practice each time, and set a phone timer if that helps. Bonus: the mirror also helps your child see how their mouth moves, which is a great visual aid in speech practice!

3. Use rewards for motivation.

Everyone loves a reward, and kids are no different! Set up a simple reward system to keep your child motivated. It could be something like, “Earn 5 check marks for practice this week and get a reward.” The reward doesn’t have to cost money—try something like choosing a movie for family movie night, going to the park, helping with a favorite meal, or inviting a friend over. Rewards like these make practice feel fun and achievable.

Conclusion: You’ve got this!

Speech therapy is the foundation for helping your child acquire new speech sounds, but home practice is the secret ingredient that accelerates progress. Just like learning a sport, dance, or playing an instrument, practicing only once a week will make improvement much slower. By staying connected with your child’s therapist, creating a routine around practice, and adding a little motivation, you’ll set your child up for success and help them make quicker, more lasting gains in their speech sound skills.