Home practice

Practice Together

Use a few useful words in play, a game, or an everyday moment. A child can participate by talking, listening, pointing, or choosing what happens next.

Begin with the right sound

If an SLP has chosen a target, use that sound and word position. Open its speech sound page to find the teaching tips, word lists, and printable cards together. If no one has chosen a target yet, the development guide can help you frame questions for an SLP; a word list cannot choose a treatment plan.

Tips to help your child make the sound

Choose the sound your child is working on. Model one small idea together; listening or watching counts too. If a cue does not fit, ask your child’s SLP for another.

Choose a sound

The tips for your chosen sound will appear here.

Keep the moment flexible

Offer a choice of a few cards or a game and follow the child's interest.
Say the target word naturally so the child can hear it. An invitation to try is enough.
Use the same word during play or a routine if it comes up on its own.
If a word is frustrating, move on or take a break. Bring patterns you notice back to the SLP.

Choose a format

Word lists and cards

Pick a sound and print a few cards, or use the words in everyday play.

Games

Choose the same sound, then play a board, card, coloring, or sticker game.

When practice is not clicking

A different word, cue, or target may fit better. You do not need to push through a hard session. An SLP can help adjust the plan to the child and the family.

Sound cues vary by child and target. See ASHA’s speech sound treatment guidance for the types of cues SLPs may use. Parent involvement works best when support fits the child and family; see this ASHA Evidence Maps review of parent and SLP collaboration.