Parent question

How can I help my child’s speech at home?

Published 21 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026

The short answer

Short, regular, low-pressure practice of the words your child’s speech therapist picks. Research on speech therapy suggests more frequent practice tends to lead to better progress, though the right amount depends on the child and the approach. So follow your SLP’s plan, and keep it playful.

Ways to help

Practise little and often rather than in one long session, and stop while it’s still fun.
Use the target words your SLP gives you. Practising the wrong way can make a sound harder to fix.
Praise the effort: “You worked hard on that R!” matters more than getting every word right.
Model the word back clearly (“Yes, a red car!”) instead of asking your child to repeat it again and again.
Build practice into things you already do: books, car journeys, mealtimes, games.
Ask your SLP what to listen for, so you know which attempts to celebrate.

What to avoid

Correcting every word all day. It can make children self-conscious about talking.
Practising sounds your SLP hasn’t worked on yet.
Comparing your child with siblings or friends in front of them.

Why practice between sessions matters

Children usually manage a new sound in the therapy room long before they use it in everyday talk. Moving the sound into conversation is the last and hardest step, and it happens through lots of practice in daily life. A review of research on therapy intensity found that more practice or more frequent practice generally led to better results for speech sound disorders, while noting the research is still limited.

Questions parents ask

How long should we practise each day?

There’s no single recommended amount. Short sessions a few times a day are easier for most children than one long one, but ask your SLP what fits your child’s plan.

Should I correct my child when they say a sound wrong?

Saying the word back clearly and moving on keeps practice low-pressure. Ask your SLP which cues, if any, they’d like you to use.

Can I practise without a speech therapist?

You can read, talk and play in ways that support speech at any age. For a sound your child finds hard, an SLP can show you the right way to practise.