Speech in Focus

Behaviour

How Pets Can Boost Your Child’s Speech, Emotional, and Social Development

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Apr 28, 2025

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

When considering the many benefits of having a pet, you might think about companionship, emotional support, and unconditional love. But did you know that pets can also play a powerful role in helping children with speech, emotional, and social development?

Home Practice, Homework

Asking for help in the home environment.

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Mar 28, 2025

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Asking for help is our way to indicate that we can’t do something on our own – that we need someone. If we were unable to ask for help, many parts in our day to day life would be extremely difficult.

Interaction, Music, Turn Taking

Taking Turns with Music

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Mar 26, 2025

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Being able to take turns is an important part of communication development. It forms the foundation for conversational exchanges and interactions.

You can use music to teach your child to take turns before they can talk.

Visual Schedule

Visual schedules – What are they and how can they be used?

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Mar 8, 2025

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Does your child have difficulties following instructions or understanding a routine?

This can be quite common, particularly for children with language difficulties.

Home Practice, Successful Therapy

How to follow through with home practice.

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Oct 18, 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Practice is essential to the uptake, maintenance and generalisation of any skill you are trying to learn. Practice = Progress. When speech practice occurs at home, the skill learnt in your sessions begin to ‘stick’.

Minimal Verbal, Waiting

Why is waiting such a powerful tool?

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Oct 11, 2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Most parents lead and direct the interaction with their child without giving them an opportunity to initiate or share their interests. It seems easier to take the lead and initiate the interaction.

Language, Music

Music and Language

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Oct 4, 2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Music and language have an important similarity: they are both used to communicate. From when we are babies, some of the first things we hear and say are sounds and singing. Children have always responded more to their mother’s singing than to her talking.

Successful Therapy

Count the wins – and celebrate them.

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Sep 27, 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Learning a new skill is not easy. It takes practice, practice and more practice. Each step can be a huge challenge and can bring upon intense emotions, disappointment, discouragement, and frustration.

Language, Minimal Verbal, Visual Schedule

Show, don’t tell!

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Sep 20, 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Visuals are all around us (e.g. calendars, toilet signs, shopping lists). Visual strategies can be used to help children, especially children with language difficulties, to understand what we are telling them.

Writing

Story writing is fun-Depends on how you do it!

by Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services Sep 4, 2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Any real-life experience can be turned into a story. Make a kite with your child. Go on an adventure in the forest together. Think about a memorable day in your child’s life such as a birthday party or trip to the zoo. If you have photos from these real-life experiences, even better! Use these experiences to create a story.

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