Importance of Home Programming for Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy
Pediatric speech and language therapy are crucial steps in helping children develop their communication skills. But many children only get the chance to practice their new skills during their weekly appointments with their therapist. The more time a child spends practicing speech and language, the faster their therapy progress will be. That's why we encourage family members to get involved with a child's speech and language therapy sessions and take advantage of our at-home programs. Home programming supports what your child learns at our clinic with activities they can practice with family. This valuable resource helps families and pediatric therapists work together to ensure children rapidly achieve their therapy goals across all enviroments.
Metro Therapy Provides At-Home Programs to Help Children Make Faster Progress
By continuing to practice the skills your child learns during their therapy sessions, you can help your child progress quicker through their treatment. This is why we provide at-home programs for parents and caregivers. These programs give parents exercises and activities you can do at home that are tailored to your child's individual needs. When you and other family members are active participants in your child's therapy, you can help them achieve therapy goals quicker and across all environments.
Why You Should Join Your Child’s Speech and Language Therapy Sessions
Parents play a critical role in their child's progress during therapy. When you are involved in your child’s speech and language therapy sessions, you are able to help carry over skills learned into the home, where your child spends most of their time. There are many reasons you should join in on your child's therapy session, including:
The therapist can build a stronger relationship with you and to provide the best treatment possible.
You will get a firsthand look at the techniques and strategies that the therapist is using to help your child.
When you see how the therapist directs each session, you’ll have an easier time supporting the same goals at home.
The therapist can focus on teaching specific skills, and you’ll be able to integrate those skills into your child’s daily life.
When your child engages in consistent practice in the clinic and at home, progress can quickly spread across all settings.
Your Encouragement Makes a World of Difference in Your Child’s Therapy Journey
A pediatric therapist is crucial in helping children achieve their speech and language goals. However, consistent practice is what will help your child make lasting progress. The more you and other family members can continue using at home the techniques the therapist uses during sessions, the faster your child’s progress can be. By supporting your child during their treatment sessions, you’ll enable them to reach their speech and language milestones with confidence.
Home Programming Reinforces What Your Child Learns During Therapy
Short sessions with a pediatric therapist can be highly effective in teaching specific skills, such as producing a sound correctly with proper form of the mouth. However, continuing to practice at home with family members is just as important. This at-home practice helps reinforce the skills learned in therapy and shows the child how their therapy applies to home and school.
For example, when you model the correct pronunciation or language you want your child to use, they can connect what you’re asking of them with what their therapist is teaching them. And by encouraging your child to use their new skills and praising them when they do, those skills will become natural for them. If you ever have questions about how to utilize your child’s at-home program, their therapist will be able to guide you. By working together, we can help your child gain the skills they need for a successful future.
Home Programming Is Especially Important for Children in Speech and Language Therapy
The ability to communicate with others effectively is a critically important skill, one that we use every day. By taking the tools and techniques learned in therapy sessions and practicing them at home with friends and family, children can accelerate their progress and truly connect what they're learning to their real-life experiences. That’s why at-home programs are an essential tool in helping children improve their speech and language skills.
Schedule Your Free Pediatric Therapy Screening
Home programming is a great way to support your child’s speech or language therapy sessions with extra practice between appointments. Metro Therapy offers at-home programs to all families, supporting you in helping your child achieve their speech and language goals. If you want more information, or if you would like to schedule a free pediatric therapy screening, give us a call at (763) 450-9400 today.
