5 Everyday Speech Goals You Can Practice with Your Child

Guidance from an Adelaide Speech Pathologist

Supporting your child’s speech and communication doesn’t need to feel like “therapy at home.” Some of the most powerful learning happens in everyday moments: during play, routines, and shared connection.

At Nurture Allied Health SA, we often remind families that communication grows through relationships. Children learn language when they feel safe, seen, and engaged. Below are five gentle, everyday speech goals you can practise naturally with your child, guided by what speech pathologists look for as children grow.

1. Encouraging Understanding Through Simple Instructions

Understanding language comes before using it. Following instructions helps children process words, concepts, and sequences.

You can support this by:

• Giving short, clear instructions during play or routines

• Starting with one-step directions (e.g. “get the ball”) and gradually adding more

• Turning everyday tasks into shared moments (“put your shoes on, then grab your bag”)

If your child needs time, that’s okay. Pause, wait, and allow them space to respond in their own way.

2. Supporting Early Words and Combining Them Naturally

Children develop words at different rates, and communication can include sounds, gestures, signs, or words.

Helpful ways to support this include:

• Naming what your child is looking at or playing with

• Repeating their words back and gently adding one more (“car” → “red car”)

• Modelling simple word combinations during play (“more bubbles,” “teddy sleep”)

There’s no need to correct or pressure. Hearing language used in meaningful moments helps children learn naturally.

3. Building Communication Through Play and Shared Attention

Play is one of the most important foundations for speech and language development.

You can encourage communication by:

• Following your child’s lead during play

• Commenting on what they’re doing rather than asking lots of questions

• Using toys, pretend play, and everyday objects to create shared moments

When children feel connected and engaged, communication flows more easily.

4. Supporting Questions, Conversations, and Turn-Taking

As children grow, communication becomes more interactive. Conversations don’t need to be long or perfect to be meaningful.

Try:

• Taking turns during play, even if your child communicates non-verbally

• Responding to their questions and modelling simple answers

• Talking about past or upcoming events in short, supportive ways (“we went to the park,” “we will see grandma later”)

Staying on topic and turn-taking develop over time; it’s okay if conversations wander.

5. Helping Speech Sounds Develop Without Pressure

Speech sounds continue to develop across early childhood. Some sounds take longer to master, and this is often part of typical development.

You can support speech clarity by:

• Speaking slowly and clearly to yourself

• Repeating your child’s words back correctly without asking them to repeat

• Focusing on being understood, rather than “perfect” pronunciation

If your child is communicating confidently, that is a strong foundation to build from.

When to Seek Speech Therapy Support?

All children develop differently, and comparison can be unhelpful. If you have concerns about your child’s understanding, speech, or communication. Trust your instincts.

Speech pathologists support children to:

• Build understanding and expressive language

• Develop speech sounds and clarity

• Support social communication and interaction

• Strengthen skills for later learning, including literacy

Early support can make a meaningful difference, and it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your child.

How Nurture Allied Health SA Can Help

At Nurture Allied Health SA, our speech pathology services are neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and relationship-based. We focus on supporting communication in ways that honour each child’s strengths, identity, and pace.

We work closely with families to:

• Understand what matters most to your child

• Build practical strategies into everyday routines

• Support confident communication without pressure to conform

If you’d like to learn more about meeting speech therapy goals, you’re welcome to contact us, submit a referral, or join our waitlist. We’re here to support you and your child’s communication journey.

Refer to us for speech pathology or learn more about our fees, funding, and rebates.