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For children, therapy sessions can significantly improve their lives. Particularly for those who require more help with communication, motor skills, interaction with others, or controlling their emotions.
The problem is that real progress can not be seen overnight. It requires continuous reinforcement and practice at home.
If you’re a parent wondering how to make therapy stick outside the sessions, you’re in the right place!
This blog post will walk you through easy-to-implement strategies to keep those therapy goals alive and thriving in everyday life.
Let’s break it down and keep it simple so it fits right into your family’s routine.
Why Is Reinforcing Therapy at Home So Important?
Imagine learning a new skill. It can be playing an instrument or even speaking a new language. Practicing once a week probably wouldn’t cut it, right?
You’d feel like you’re starting from scratch each time. Therapy is a lot like that.
Kids build new skills and habits through repetition and consistency. By reinforcing therapy at home, you’re helping your child gain confidence, independence, and even pride in their progress.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need special training to support therapy goals at home. Just small, everyday actions that make a big difference. Let’s dive into some simple ways to do this.
Build a Routine That Works for Your Family
Consistency is powerful, especially for kids. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but having a predictable routine can make therapy goals feel natural. When you incorporate therapy into your day-to-day life, it stops feeling like “extra work” and becomes just another part of the day.
Here’s how to get started:
Choose Natural Moments: Look for times in your daily routine when it’s easy to add in a few minutes of therapy practice. Breakfast, bath time, or even car rides can be perfect.
Set a “Therapy Moment”: Make therapy goals part of the same time each day, if possible. For example, you could work on a quick speech exercise after breakfast or practice fine motor skills while preparing dinner.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself: Start with one or two simple goals that fit naturally into your schedule. You don’t have to be “on” all the time, just consistent.
Example: If your child is working on fine motor skills, you could add a small task like buttoning their shirt or opening containers. It doesn’t have to be a full “therapy session”—just a couple of minutes that fit into what you’re already doing.
Use Everyday Activities to Sneak in Therapy Practice
You’d be surprised at how many therapy skills you can practice just by living your everyday life. From cooking to playing games, each activity can be a mini-therapy session in disguise.
Try these ideas:
For Speech and Language: Engage your child in conversation during routine activities. For example, while grocery shopping, you could ask questions like, “What fruit should we pick?” or “Why do we need milk?” These open-ended questions encourage them to think, respond, and work on their language skills.
For Fine Motor Skills: Have your child help in the kitchen! Stirring, pouring, and even kneading dough are great for hand strength and coordination. Other ideas include doing arts and crafts, like painting or cutting paper, which builds finger strength.
For Social Skills: If your child is practicing social skills, get them involved in group activities with friends, relatives, or siblings. Play games that involve sharing and taking turns or role-play dialogue.
For instance, a child who is working on sensory integration might help with tasks like playing with tactile toys or folding clothes. Allow children to experience both hard and soft materials and then talk about how each feels. It's a natural means of participation that doesn't feel like a planned "therapy session."
Make Therapy Fun: Turn Goals into Games
Kids (and adults!) learn better when they’re having fun. Therapy goals don’t always have to feel like “practice” or “work.” Games and playful activities are fantastic ways to reinforce skills.
Here are some fun ideas:
Treasure Hunts: A basic treasure hunt around the house is a great way to help your child with occupational therapy. This can actually improve their gross motor skills. You can make them crawl, strech, or hop in order to find the hidden objects. They won't even realize they're working on their coordination and balance!
Simon Says: This classic game is perfect for practicing listening skills and following directions, which are often part of speech therapy or behavioral goals. You can add actions that target specific therapy goals, like clapping hands (fine motor) or balancing on one foot (gross motor).
Role-Playing with Toys: If your child is working on social skills or language, try role-playing with their favorite toys. Pretend they’re at a restaurant, school, or even a zoo. Encourage your child to speak for each character and use different expressions or gestures.
Example: A child working on communication skills can pretend to be a store clerk while you’re the customer. Ask them questions like “How much does this cost?” or “What do you recommend?” It’s playful but also great practice for using language in real-life scenarios.
Celebrate Progress, Big and Small
Progress in therapy often comes in tiny steps, and it’s easy to miss those small wins. But celebrating achievements, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in your child’s motivation and confidence.
How to celebrate:
Specific Praise: Instead of a generic “Good job,” try to get specific. Say something like, “I love how you concentrated on your sounds today,” or “You really kept your balance well!” Specific praise helps kids know exactly what they did right.
Sticker Charts: For younger kids, a sticker chart can be a fun way to track progress. Every time they complete a goal, they get a sticker. When the chart is full, consider a small reward, like a family game night or their favorite dessert.
Family Recognition: Tell your family how happy you are when your child achieves a milestone. Inform your grandparents, siblings, or close friends, and have a group celebration. This gives them pride and acknowledges their accomplishment.
Example: If your child finally masters a sound in speech therapy, let them call Grandma to share the news. Little celebrations like this help your child understand that their hard work is meaningful.
Stay Patient and Keep Things Positive
Therapy progress can be a slow journey. There might be days when it feels like nothing is “working” or you’re not seeing progress. And that’s okay! Staying positive and being patient will help you—and your child—keep going.
Here’s how to stay encouraged:
Focus on Effort, Not Results: Praise your child’s effort, even if they don’t get it “right” every time. The process is what counts.
Take Breaks When Needed: If your child is having a tough day, it’s okay to skip a practice session. Therapy is important, but so is mental health. Sometimes, a little break can help reset both of you.
Be Kind to Yourself: You’re doing a fantastic job just by showing up and supporting your child. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Your involvement alone is making a difference!
Final Thoughts: Your Role in the Therapy Journey
Supporting therapy goals at home doesn’t require a degree or specialized training. It just takes a bit of patience, creativity, and a lot of love. By making therapy goals part of your family’s routine, you’re helping your child grow in ways that go beyond therapy skills. You’re building their confidence, resilience, and independence.
Keep celebrating the small wins, stay patient, and remember you’re already making a difference just by being there. Therapy is indeed a long road, but with your support, your child is on the path to success.
For online child, teen, and parent therapy. Go to: www.breakingthechalk.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I practice therapy goals with my child?A: Daily practice is ideal, but even a few times a week can make a big difference. Short, consistent sessions (about 5-10 minutes) tend to be more effective than one long session per week.
Q: What if my child resists practice?A: If your child seems resistant, try to make it less formal and more playful. Use games, activities, or favorite toys to encourage practice. If resistance continues, it’s okay to take a break and come back to it later.
Q: How can I ensure we’re practicing the “right way”?A: Stay in close communication with your child’s therapist. Many therapists are happy to provide tips and even demonstrate exercises for parents so you feel confident in what you’re doing.
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