As a speech pathologist at Seed Ability, one of my goals is to support individuals in building their communication skills in ways that fit into their everyday lives. Therapy sessions are important, but progress is often made even faster when practice extends beyond our sessions into familiar environments. That’s why I set home practice activities—so that the skills we work on in therapy can become second nature over time.
Why Is Home Practice Important?
Improving communication skills takes time and consistency. Think about learning to drive a car—at first, you have to consciously think about every action: checking mirrors, signaling, pressing the accelerator or brake at the right time. But with regular practice, driving becomes automatic. Speech and language skills develop in a similar way. The more a person practices, the more natural and effortless these skills become.
Without home practice, progress can still happen, but it may take longer. When we integrate short, frequent practice sessions into daily routines, individuals often reach their goals faster and need less time in therapy overall.
How Can Home Practice Fit Into Daily Life?
I know that life is busy, and adding another task to the day can feel overwhelming. But home practice doesn’t have to be a separate, time-consuming activity—it can be incorporated into the things you’re already doing. Here are some key strategies I recommend:
1. Keep It Short and Frequent
Research shows that shorter, more regular practice sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones. Just five minutes of focused practice a few times a week can make a big difference!
2. Make It Meaningful
Each person has unique interests and routines. Home practice should be engaging and relevant to them. For example:
- A child who loves animals might practice speech sounds while playing with their pet.
- Someone who enjoys video games might work on language goals through in-game conversations or instructions.
- A person working on social skills might practice conversation starters during a family meal.
I work with each individual and their family to find practice strategies that fit seamlessly into their lifestyle.
3. Integrate It Into Established Routines
Most families and individuals already have structured routines—these can be great opportunities for practice! Some examples include:
- Practicing target words or sounds while reading a bedtime story.
- Describing daily activities (e.g., “First, I put on my shoes. Next, I grab my backpack.”) to support language development.
- Playing a word game or discussing the day during a meal.
I can help brainstorm ways to naturally incorporate home practice into daily life, so it doesn’t feel like extra work.
4. Use What You Already Have
There’s no need to buy special materials—everyday objects and activities provide plenty of opportunities for practice. Some ideas include:
- Using a grocery list to work on vocabulary and categorization.
- Talking about a favorite TV show or book to practice storytelling and comprehension skills.
- Playing a family board game that encourages turn-taking and conversation.
5. Make It Fun!
The most important part of home practice is keeping it enjoyable! When practice feels like a game rather than a chore, it’s more likely to be successful. Whether it’s through silly challenges, creative storytelling, or playful competition, there are many ways to make speech and language practice engaging.
Let’s Work Together
As a speech pathologist, my role is to collaborate with individuals and families to make home practice effective and manageable. If you’re unsure how to fit practice into your routine or what activities might work best, I’m here to help! Together, we can create a plan that supports progress while blending seamlessly into daily life.
Do you have any favourite ways to incorporate home practice? I’d love to hear what works for you!
References:
- SpeechPathology.com. (2021). 20Q: Flexible scheduling in school settings. Retrieved from https://www.speechpathology.com/articles/20q-flexible-scheduling-in-school-20458
- Speech Pathology Australia. (2021). Evidence-Based Practice in Speech Pathology in Australia. Retrieved from https://acdhs.edu.au/wp- content/uploads/2021/07/EBP_speechpathologyinaustralia_16062021-3.pdf