Ep 9: Speech exercises for Children with simple speech delay

Contents

• Preface

• Understanding Simple Speech Delay

• Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia)

• Golden Principles for Encouraging Speech

• Home-based Speech Exercises

• Conclusion

1. Preface

If you are a parent of a child aged 2–4 who is not speaking or speaks very little, you might be worrying: "Does my child need professional intervention?" or "What can I do at home to help?"

This episode will help you understand how to properly practice speech with a child who has Simple Speech Delay (also known as Isolated Speech Delay). This refers to children who do not have developmental disorders or autism but are simply lagging in speech compared to their age group.

2. Understanding simple speech delay

First, we need to clarify that "Simple Speech Delay" applies to children who develop normally in other areas—such as gross/fine motor skills, cognition, emotional regulation, and eye contact—but their ability to express themselves verbally is slower than their peers.

Examples:

• A 2-year-old who only says a few single words like "mom," "dad," "eat," or "drink."

• A 3-year-old who still cannot form clear sentences.

• The child understands what others say (receptive language) and follows instructions but rarely initiates speech (expressive language).

Common Causes:

• Lack of a communicative environment or interaction.

• Adults speaking for the child too often (anticipating needs before the child speaks).

• Limited exposure to standard language or lack of encouragement to imitate.

• Mild physiological factors, such as inflexible oral muscles or Tongue-tie.

3. Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia)

a. What is Tongue-tie? The lingual frenulum is a small band of tissue under the tongue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Normally, this frenulum is soft, thin, and located deep inside, allowing the tongue to lift, extend, lick, and articulate sounds easily. Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia) occurs when this tissue is shorter than normal or attached too close to the tip of the tongue, restricting its movement.

b. Signs and Symptoms Depending on the severity, signs may vary:

• In Infants (under 1 year):

  • Weak latch during breastfeeding; frequently slipping off the nipple.

  • Inefficient nursing (feeds for a long time but remains hungry); mother experiences cracked nipples.

  • Clicking sounds while nursing.

  • Inability to extend the tongue past the lips; the tongue tip looks V-shaped or heart-shaped when trying to extend.

• In Toddlers (1–4 years):

  • Difficulty pronouncing sounds that require lifting the tongue tip (Alveolar sounds): L, N, T, D, R, S.

  • Inability to lick lips, lick an ice cream cone, blow a whistle, or purse lips.

  • When sticking the tongue out, the tip pulls down into a heart shape.

  • The tongue cannot touch the roof of the mouth (palate) when saying "la la la."

  • Persistent lisping or unclear speech despite normal intelligence and hearing.

c. How to Check at Home

• Method 1: Visual Inspection Ask your child to open their mouth and lift their tongue. If you see a thin, white, tight band connecting the tongue tip to the floor of the mouth, or if the tongue forms a heart shape, suspect a tongue-tie.

• Method 2: Range of Motion Ask your child to stick their tongue out as far as possible. If the tongue cannot pass the lips or curls downward immediately, the frenulum may be too short.

• Method 3: Articulation Check: Ask the child to say sounds that require the tongue to touch the palate: "La," "Na," "Ta," "Da." If they cannot articulate clearly or lift the tongue tip, check further. > Note: For an accurate diagnosis, please consult an ENT specialist, a Dentist, or a Speech-Language Pathologist.

d. Treatment

• Mild cases: Daily oral motor exercises are sufficient; surgery is not required. (Exercises include sticking the tongue out/in, licking lips, touching the nose/chin with the tongue, playing "la la la" games).

• Severe cases: A doctor may perform a frenotomy—a very quick and minor procedure (taking about 3–5 minutes) to release the frenulum.

4. Golden principles for encouraging speech

Before starting specific exercises, parents must memorize these 6 Golden Principles:

1. Do not give in to tantrums The most important rule: Children are often "lazy" to speak and rely on pointing or whining ("uh uh") to get what they want. You must require the child to verbalize their needs. If the child throws a tantrum, ignore it. Do not spoil them by yielding to non-verbal demands, as this reinforces the laziness to speak.

2. Speak Less – Slow – Clear – Repeat Use short, concise sentences.

• Instead of: "Do you want to eat this rice now because it's lunch time?"

• Say: "Time to eat." / "Open wide." / "Where are you going?" Avoid lecturing or long-winded explanations.

3. Get down to their eye level When speaking, lower yourself to look into your child’s eyes to create a connection. Eye contact is the first bridge to verbal communication.

4. Don't force; Invite Forcing creates stress. Instead, play and talk joyfully. Children imitate naturally when they are having fun.

5. Follow the child's interests If they like cars, talk about cars. If they like balls, play with the ball. Language blooms only when there is emotion and interest involved.

6. Praise the smallest efforts If the child says "ba" instead of "ball"—praise them immediately: "Wow, good job! It is a ball!"

5. Home-based speech exercises

Here are 6 groups of exercises you can do daily. Each session only needs 5–10 minutes but should be repeated throughout the day.

(1) Oral Motor Exercises – The Warm-up Just as singers warm up their voices, children need to exercise their lip and tongue muscles.

• Blow soap bubbles, candles, or bits of paper.

• Stick the tongue out, lick lips, make a "fish face" (pursing lips), or make exaggerated happy/sad faces.

• Vocalize sounds like "Ahhh," "Eeee," "Oooo."

• Goal: To increase muscle flexibility and readiness for articulation.

(2) Sound Imitation Children learn by listening and mimicking. Play games with sounds:

• Animals: "Meow meow," "Woof woof," "Moo moo."

• Vehicles: "Beep beep," "Vroom vroom."

• Nature/Expression: "Uh-oh," "Wow," "Ha ha."

• Technique: When the child makes a sound close to the word, imitate them back, then add a little more. (Child: "Ba." -> You: "Ba! Ball!")

(3) Simple Words – Through Daily Activities You don't need expensive flashcards. Use daily life to teach words. Start with single words, then 3-word phrases.

• Eating: "Rice... Yummy... Eat... Drink... Full."

• Bathing: "Water... Warm... Wash... Clean."

• Dressing: "Shirt... Pants... Shoes... Hat."

• Going out: "Car... Go... Fast... Slow... Home."

• Repetition is key. It might feel boring to you, but repetition helps language "sink in" for the child.

(4) Short Sentences – Interactive Play Once the child speaks a few words, expand to short sentences:

• "Mommy holds."

• "Open door."

• "Car goes fast."

• Use toys: Feed the doll, put the bear to sleep. This connects language to specific actions, making it easier to remember than isolated vocabulary.

(5) Listening & Comprehension (Receptive Language) Understanding precedes speaking. Practice with commands:

• "Get the red ball."

• "Give mommy the spoon."

• "Put the bear on your head."

• Start with 1-step commands, then move to 2-step commands as they improve. Always cheer, hug, and praise when they get it right. Positive emotion triggers natural learning.

(6) Reading – Singing – Storytelling Music and rhythm are the "golden keys" for late talkers.

• Sing short songs with hand gestures (e.g., "The Wheels on the Bus," "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star").

• Wordless Picture Books: Point to the image and say: "Cat. The cat is sleeping. Meow meow." Then ask: "Where is the cat?" Let the child point. When they point correctly, praise and repeat the word.

6. Conclusion

Speech delay is not something to fear. What is fearful is comparing your child to others, getting impatient, or missing the "Golden Window" for development.

Dedicate 15–30 minutes every day to talk, sing, play, and read with your child. Every smile, every hug, and every word of encouragement is a brick helping your child build their house of language.

And remember:

"Every child has their own time to bloom. Be patient in watering the soil, and the flower will blossom in its most beautiful way."