With a Difficult School Year in the Rear-View Mirror, Here is a Tip for Skill-Building at Home This Better Hearing & Speech Month

 

After a challenging year of virtual, hybrid, and modified in-person learning, speech-language pathologists are offering advice and encouragement to families on low-stress ways they can support their children’s language, literacy, and learning skills at home this summer. This message is a timely one, as May is celebrated nationally as Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).

 

Many parents have been understandably concerned about their child’s academic progress this school year, given all of the changes necessitated by the pandemic. This may be especially so for families whose children receive support services in schools, such as speech and language therapy. These services may have looked a little different this year than they typically do. This summer is a time to encourage families to take a much-needed reset, and to rest assured that there are many ways you can support your child’s learning at home, without workbooks, learning apps, and other programs and purchases that add to the family’s stress level. This “down time” is actually time well spent when it comes to building communication and learning skills. This is true for children of all ages.

 

Outdoor Play is a great way to support language. Hands-on activities, no matter a child’s age, are the best way to learn new skills, build vocabularies, and boost learning through the senses. Try taking a nature walk and discussing the sights, smells, and sounds. Plant a garden—outside or in containers. Start by researching your options, and then shop for materials, do your planting, and care for your garden daily. Plan a picnic—discuss your menu, where you’ll go, and what you hope to see.