Does your child seem to have trouble pronouncing certain sounds or speaking clearly? It’s normal for children to use “baby talk” while they’re learning how to speak, but if they don’t learn proper articulation as they get older, it can lead to challenges in school and beyond. Keep reading to find out what articulation is, why it’s important, and how pediatric speech therapy can help your child communicate their ideas with ease.
What Is Articulation?
Articulation refers to the way sounds are spoken and combined to produce clear speech. It is simply how your child pronounces their words and sounds. Articulation is vital because it directly impacts how well others can understand what your child is trying to say to them. Clear articulation makes it possible for your child to effectively communicate their ideas and improve their use of language.
Common Types of Articulation Problems
There are four common types of articulation problems that children can experience:
- Substitutions – replacing one sound with another, like saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”
- Omissions – leaving out certain sounds in words, like saying “eese” instead of “cheese”
- Distortions – altering the sounds in a word, such as lisping
- Additions – adding unnecessary sounds to a word, like saying “puh-lease” instead of “please”
What Causes Articulation Problems?
Articulation problems happen when a child has difficulty coordinating the movement of their lips, palate, and tongue to produce clear speech sounds. This can be caused by:
- Developmental delays
- Weakness or coordination issues in the muscles used for speech
- Difficulty hearing and imitating sounds accurately
- Physical issues such as cleft lip or palate
- Genetic disorders like Down syndrome
- Other medical conditions
Pediatric Speech Therapy Improves Articulation
Pediatric speech therapy is an effective treatment for children who struggle with articulation. At Little Hands at Play, our dedicated pediatric speech-language pathologists work closely with children to build their articulation skills through play-based, proven techniques. We create customized treatment plans based on your child’s specific needs and give you tips on how to help your child build their speech skills.
Your child’s treatment may include speech games, exercises to strengthen their oral motor skills, and drills to practice specific sounds. Our speech-language pathologists also focus on modeling proper articulation to lead by example and offer tons of encouragement to help your child reach their speech goals.
Won’t My Child Learn Better Articulation as They Get Older?
While some children do naturally improve their speech over time, a qualified speech-language pathologist should address persistent articulation problems. This is because early intervention can give your child the skills they need to communicate effectively. The longer you wait, the longer it will take to help your child learn to articulate their sounds the right way.
Schedule an Evaluation
If your child is struggling with articulation or other speech-related challenges, Little Hands at Play is here to help. Call us at (479) 226-3409 to schedule an evaluation with our experienced speech-language pathologists today.