If a child has speech disorders, they are recommended to do articulation exercises, which are special motor exercises for the speech apparatus. What are they, who should conduct them, and how to correctly compile a set of exercises without harming the child.
What are articulation exercises for children?
Articulation exercises or activities are a set of special exercises that improve the strength and mobility of the muscles of the speech apparatus. These include the lips, tongue, soft palate, and jaws.
Pediatric speech therapists use activities in their work to develop articulation and correct speech defects. These activities can be used in group classes as a general method for all children. If speech activities are not practised, the child will find it difficult not only to speak, but also to read and write. Social problems are also possible. Due to incorrect speech, the child may be teased and find it difficult to communicate. This lowers self-esteem and self-confidence.
Age when articulation exercises can be beneficial
Articulation exercises can be performed from the age of 3-4, when a child’s speech is actively developing. The exact age at which to begin classes depends on the individual characteristics of the child and the need for speech correction.
- For children aged 3-4, articulation exercises prevent speech sound disorders and prepare the speech apparatus for complex sounds.
- For children aged 5-7, the exercises develop the precision of the articulation organs and correct specific sounds.
- For schoolchildren and older students, articulation exercises are used to correct disorders that have already become established.
When articulation exercises should not be performed
Although articulation exercises are suitable for most children, there are a number of restrictions:
- Malocclusion or dental-jaw system disorders. If a child has a serious condition, such as jaw dislocation or developmental abnormalities, some exercises are contraindicated. In this case, the exercises are modified or postponed until the orthodontic problems are corrected.
- Acute inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. With stomatitis, gingivitis, inflammation of the tongue or gums, it is painful to perform the exercises.
- Injuries or operations on the Vocal tract: oral cavity, throat, jaw. Exercises are performed when the doctor allows it.
- Severe neurological diseases. These make it difficult for a person to control and coordinate their muscles. The exercises are adapted to the specific diagnosis.
How to perform articulation exercises
Articulation exercises are performed by a qualified speech therapist. This is because the therapist knows the anatomy of the speech apparatus and understands how exercises help with different disorders. It is best to learn the technique in special courses.
The speech therapist develops a set of activities for a specific child, taking into account their individual characteristics, and adjusts the programm as needed. The specialist also instructs parents on how to perform the exercises at home.
The purpose of the exercises:
- For the lips: stretch them into a smile and pull them into a tube;
- Exercises for the tongue: move it up and down, back and forth, in circles, and form wide and narrow positions.
- For the jaw: practise opening and closing your mouth with different amplitudes.
To make the activities interesting for the child, they are turned into a game. Bright toys, pictures or characters that also do the exercises are used. Articulation Activities are accompanied by funny stories or rhymes to make the movements easier to remember.
Elements of competition are also introduced. For example, who can hold their tongue in a certain position for longer or complete the task faster.
It is essential to praise the child for every exercise they perform correctly. This gives them a sense of achievement and motivates them to continue working.
What to expect from articulation exercises
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If the exercises are performed regularly, the child will experience the following benefits:
- Increased mobility, coordination and strength of the muscles of the tongue, lips and jaws. This makes it easier to pronounce sounds.
- Corrected pronunciation and improved speech quality. The child will be able to pronounce even complex sounds.
- Improve auditory perception. They will be able to better distinguish and reproduce sounds.
- Increase self-confidence. It will become easier to communicate with others, and anxiety levels will decrease.
How quickly the exercises take effect depends on the age and characteristics of the speech disorder. The first noticeable changes can be seen after 2-4 weeks of regular training. If the child has complex speech disorders, articulation exercises are used for several months or even years.