Singing for Speech

Songs offer predictable and repetitive routines that promote communication. Singing can help children with severe motor deficits participate in communication regardless of their speech abilities. Through music, children learn that their vocalizations, smiles, eye gaze, gestures, or AAC responses can influence interactions and keep an activity/song going. The rhythm, melody, and excitement of songs can encourage longer/louder vocalizations and encourage turn-taking. Songs also expose children to early words, phrases, and sentence structures in a meaningful context, helping build their receptive and expressive language skills. In addition, singing can help strengthen breathing and voice usage by encouraging children to engage in breathing patterns and vocalize for longer durations. A breathing pattern, for example, means learning the coordination of exhaling while vocalizing at the same time. 

Songs to sing: 

Old Mac Donald

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Five Little Ducks

Ten in the Bed

Author: Amber Dowell SLPA