How Speech Therapy Can Support Early Reading Skills

Reading is more than just sounding out words-it's about understanding language, recognizing patterns, and connecting sounds to meaning. For many children, especially those with speech or language delays, these early building blocks can be challenging.As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I work with children not only on how they speak, but also on how they process, understand, and use language-all of which play a critical role in reading success.

Here's how speech therapy can support your child's early reading skills:

1. Strengthening Phonological Awareness

Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words-like rhyming, identifying beginning sounds, and blending syllables. These skills are essential for learning to decode and spell. In therapy, we play sound games, clap out syllables, and use visuals to help kids hear the differences between similar words.

2. Improving Speech Sound Accuracy

If a child has trouble saying certain sounds (like /s/, /r/, or /k/), it can affect how they recognize those sounds in print. In therapy, we work on correct sound production and connect that to how the sound looks in writing-building letter-sound awareness.

3. Expanding Vocabulary and Sentence Structure

Reading comprehension depends on understanding what words mean and how sentences are formed. In therapy, we build a child's vocabulary, practice grammar, and strengthen storytelling so they're not just decoding words but making sense of them.

4. Building Confidence with Pre-Reading Skills

Children with speech or language delays may avoid reading activities if they're frustrating or confusing. In therapy, we use engaging, hands-on methods to support letter-sound knowledge, sequencing, and narrative skills-while keeping sessions fun and stress-free.

5. Supporting Families with Practical Strategies

Speech therapy doesn't stop at the clinic door. In therapy, I teach caregivers how to use books, songs, and everyday routines to strengthen their child's language and literacy-because YOU are your child's most powerful teacher.

Final Thoughts

If your child is struggling to speak clearly, understand language, or learn letter sounds, don't wait. Early intervention can make a lasting difference in both communication and reading success.

*Located in Tallahassee?

Caroline's Speech Retreat LLC offers evaluations and individualized support for children of all ages-from early talkers to young readers.

Let's talk. Contact me at thespeechretreat@gmail.com or visit www.carolinesspeechretreat.com to schedule a consultation.

Caroline's Speech Retreat LLC | thespeechretreat@gmail.com