Articulation Exercises – Developing Language

Today I share some articulation exercises for language development in children starting from the first year of life.

Speech sounds are produced when the organs of articulation perform a complex set of movements. We correctly pronounce the different sounds as separately so in the speech flow due to the strength, good mobility and differentiated work of the organs of articulation. Thus, pronunciation of the sounds of speech is a complex motor skill.

Already in infancy a baby performs lots of different articulation and mimic movements with the tongue, lips, jaw, accompanying these movements with diffuse sounds (babbling). Such movements are the first stage in the child’s speech development; they exercise the speech organs in natural living conditions. Accuracy, power, and differentiation of these movements are developing gradually in the child.

A clear articulation needs strong, elastic and mobile organs of speech - tongue, lips, palate. Articulation is associated with the work of many muscles including chewing, swallowing, facial ones. Phonation process can be due to the involvement of the respiratory system (larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, diaphragm, intercostal muscles). Thus, speaking of special speech therapy exercises, the exercises of numerous organs and muscles of the face, mouth, shoulders, and chest should be kept in mind.

Articulation exercises are the basis for the speech sound formation (phonemes) and correction of sound pronunciation disorders; it includes exercises to train the mobility of the articulation apparatus organs, training certain positions of the lips, tongue, soft palate necessary for the proper pronunciation as of all the sounds and so of each sound of a particular group.


The purpose of articulation exercises is to develop movements and certain positions of the articulation apparatus necessary for the proper sound pronunciation.

When playing with the child, you should first show him the movements for him to repeat them. Don’t worry if he cannot do the exercises from the first time – be patient and keep on doing them together. Perform the exercises 3-4 times a day for 5-7 minutes. Do no more than 3 exercises at a time.


Window

Open the mouth wide – it is hot.
Close the mouth – it is cold.


Brushing the teeth

Smile, open the mouth.
"Brush" alternately the inner side of lower and upper teeth with the tip of the tongue.


"Kneading the dough"

Smile.
Flap the lips with the tongue.
Bite the tip of the tongue (alternate these movements).


"Cup"

Smile.
Open the mouth wide.
Poke out the flat tongue and slightly raise the tip of the tongue.


"Fife"

Pull the lips ahead with tension (teeth are closed).


"Fence"

Smile with tension showing the teeth.


"Painter"

Smile with mouth closed.
Slightly open the mouth.
Stroke ("paint") the palate with the tip of the tongue.


"Kitten"

Smile, the mouth is open.
The tip of the tongue leans against the lower teeth.
Bend the tip of the tongue like a hill, the tongue still leaning against the lower teeth.


"Let's catch a mouse"

Smile.
Slightly open the mouth.
Say "a-ah" and bite the wide tip of the tongue (the mouse is caught by the tail).


"Nuts"

The mouth is closed.
The tip of the tongue rests on the cheeks with tension forming hard balls - "nuts" – on the cheeks.


"Swing"

Smile, open the mouth.
The tip of the tongue is behind the upper teeth.
The tip of the tongue is behind the lower teeth.


"Clock"

Smile, open the mouth.
The tip of the tongue (like an hour hand) moves from one corner of the mouth to another.


Have you dealt with language development in children? What has your experience been like? What advise can you offer other parents?