There is only one effective way to get children actively involved with speech and motor Apraxia, and this is by engaging them in fun speech therapy activities. However, before you even begin to help your child with language articulation activities, you have to be in the right frame of mind.
It would be counter-productive if you are stressed, impatient, and thinking of other things at the same time. Thus, for the language activities to work out well between you and your child learn to set aside a specific time that’s just for this purpose. Make it a date between you and your child and treat the time as special bonding hour that will create beautiful memories for you and your child.
Here are some fun language therapy activities that you can start under the supervision of a qualified therapist, and then branch out on your own at home. Remember what the purpose for the language activities are, focus on that, and not just having fun. Also do not be a stickler for how long your child should be doing the activity, otherwise it becomes a chore instead, and he will not be motivated to do it again.
Speech Therapy Activities Part 1
Using PECS or Picture Exchange Communications System uses pictures as an alternative way of communicating with your child. Naturally, you will need some practice with this because for a child, a picture of a sandwich could mean he’s hungry but not necessarily for a sandwich.
You can go around the house tagging items with a picture and the word spelled out. Eventually, from practice, your child will recognize the word and not just the picture. By then you can take away the pictures and just have word tags.
Speech Therapy Activities Part 2
Use of music to teach pacing and pauses between words. The music therapy is a great way to introduce sounds and how they can be used. It works in conjunction with language therapy activities in many instances because of its universal appeal. There are special CDs for young children with Apraxia that you can buy as part of your language therapy activities at home.
With singing, children with Apraxia can enjoy speech therapy activities by learning how to elongate their vowels.
Speech Therapy Activities Part 3
Why not play Go Fish or the Memory Game using cards as your game tools. Cards are very good as part of your speech therapy activities as well as in helping develop dexterity and hand-eye coordination. These are just 3 language therapy activities that you can do without special tools. It will not work though if you do it a couple of times a month.
There has to be some form of schedule, 5 to 10 minutes a day, to make it work.