Parent question

How can we track speech practice between sessions?

Published 21 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026

The short answer

Keep it simple. Note the target sound and words, roughly how many practice moments happened, how it felt to your child, and which words went well or were tricky. Share it with your speech-language pathologist (SLP) before each session so they can plan. Track effort as well as accuracy, because practising regularly is the part you can control.

Why tracking helps

Speech therapy usually needs practice between sessions, and research suggests more frequent practice tends to lead to better progress (Kaipa & Peterson, 2016). A simple record shows your SLP how much practice actually happened and helps them pick the next words. It also helps you notice progress that’s easy to miss day to day.

What to write down

The target sound and the practice words your SLP gave you.
The level: single words, sentences, reading or conversation.
When you practised. Short moments count: story time, the car, dinner.
How it felt to your child: great, okay or tricky.
Words that went well, and words that were tricky.
Questions for your SLP.

The free weekly speech practice log has all of these on one printable page.

Sharing it with your SLP

Bring or send the week’s notes before the session, not after.
Mention anything unusual: illness, a busy week, a new setting.
Ask your SLP what they’d like you to track. Some prefer counts, others prefer short notes.

Keep it light

Track the practice, not your child: the log shouldn’t feel like a report card.
Celebrate practice days and effort, not just correct words.
If tracking becomes a chore, track less. A few notes a week is plenty.

Apps and devices that track practice

Some apps and devices log practice automatically. Before using one, ask what it records. Counts and notes are very different from audio recordings of your child, and it’s worth knowing whether recordings are kept and where.

Questions parents ask

How much detail should a practice log have?

Enough for your SLP to see what you practised and how it went: the words, roughly how often, and anything that stood out. Ask your SLP what’s most useful to them.

Should I record my child practising?

Only if your SLP asks for it. If you do, keep recordings private and delete them once they’re no longer needed.

What if we miss days?

That’s normal. Note it and pick up again. A few short practice moments most weeks is a realistic goal.