Today, I'd like to share a bit about my son and our journey with his speech development. He is 6 years old, and like many parents, we faced the unique challenges of covid quarantine. It was during this period that we noticed his speech was delayed. We sought help to understand the issue and find solutions. As you can imagine, trying to engage a 2-year-old over Zoom was nearly impossible, leaving us feeling stuck.

Fast forward to today, he has been through outpatient speech therapy and is now receiving group therapy through our local school district, though progress has been slow. He struggles with articulation, often replacing or omitting initial and final consonant sounds. Fricative sounds are particularly challenging for him, as he can only produce them when prompted, and even then, it's usually under protest.

On top of navigating these speech challenges, we homeschool! I have three older children at home and am eager to integrate as much speech therapy as possible into our daily routine. He is an energetic boy who loves dinosaurs, cars, trucks, superheroes, and adventure. Finding fun, hands-on activities to support his speech development is my goal, especially since the school's resources have been somewhat lacking. I'm excited to find and gather ideas and tools to help our son thrive!

Navigating Speech Delays During a Pandemic: Levi's Journey

Welcome to our supportive community! Your journey with your son's speech development amid the Covid quarantine indeed sounds challenging, but your dedication to his progress is truly commendable. Let's explore some practical and fun ways to integrate speech therapy into your daily homeschooling routine.

Strategies for Speech Development at Home

If the school hasn't already, request them to send home materials you can use to practice throughout the week. These resources can be incredibly beneficial in reinforcing the skills he is working on in therapy. Here are some creative and engaging activities you can try:

1. Picture Cards

Print out picture cards that focus on the sounds or phonological processes you want to work on with him. These cards can be used in various ways to keep him engaged.

2. Active Games with Picture Cards

Turn speech practice into a fun, physical activity. Here are a few ideas:

• Racing Cars: Set the picture cards up on the floor as checkpoints or pit stops. Have him race his cars to each checkpoint and practice the sound or word on the card before moving to the next one.
• Superhero Adventures: Place the cards around a large space. He can fly like a superhero, jump, or spin his way from one card to the next, practicing the sounds as he goes.
• Dinosaur Stomps: He can stomp like a dinosaur to each card, making it a fun and energetic way to practice speech sounds.

3. Treasure Hunts

Hide the picture cards around the house or yard and create a treasure hunt. He can search for the cards and practice the sounds or words he finds. This can be an exciting way to incorporate speech therapy into playtime.

4. Incorporate Interests

He loves dinosaurs, cars, trucks, superheroes, and adventure. Use these interests to your advantage:

• Storytelling: Create stories involving his favorite characters and vehicles. Encourage him to narrate parts of the story, focusing on the speech sounds he needs to practice.
• Role Play: Engage in role-playing games where he can act out scenes with his favorite toys, practicing speech sounds in a natural and enjoyable context.

Takeaway

Integrating speech therapy into your homeschooling routine can be both effective and enjoyable. By using picture cards and incorporating his interests, you can create a dynamic and engaging environment for speech practice. Remember, consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Keep up the great work, and don't hesitate to reach out for more ideas or support!

By turning speech practice into play, you can make significant strides in your son's speech development while keeping him motivated and having fun. Good luck, and keep us updated on his progress!