So, is your little one struggling with speech or language? Yes, for a few kids, pronouncing a word or comprehending what others are saying can be difficult. There are different types of speech and language impairments and the best thing is, with medical advancement, now therapists and doctors can help children make great improvements with time.
So, don’t panic. If your child needs speech therapy, remember, it’s for their good. With the right guidance and continuous effort, children learn to overcome those impairments.
Therefore, if the date for the first speech therapy appointment is coming near, and you don’t know how to prepare your kid for this big day, we are here to help.
This is how to relax your kid and make them ready for the first pediatric speech therapy appointment.
Start With Simple Conversations
Children have a tendency to form a certain type of fear of the things they don’t understand. So, don’t surprise them with a visit to the therapy clinic. Instead, while at home, introduce the idea of speech therapy casually. Make it very natural and also explain in an easy or whatever way they understand, what this is for.
Here, you must use kid-friendly language. Here’s an example – “We’re going to meet a talking teacher who helps kids use their words better.”
This puts the ideas about therapy as a positive way into their mind. You can avoid calling it “therapy” if your child finds that word confusing or scary. You can say, a “class” or “session” like something.
Explain to them the “Why”
Many parents talk a lot about what the therapists are going to do, or about the activities or exercises. Remember, the focus is on why they need it and how it will benefit them.
Say sentences like,
“This is going to help you say your favorite words more clearly,” or “you’ll learn fun games about words to play with your friends.”
This will boost their confidence, and they will most likely have something to look forward to.
Tour the Clinic or Show Pictures in Advance
Many Dubai clinics offering pediatric speech therapy have child-friendly environments. They have colorful rooms and playful settings. If it is possible, visit the clinic ahead of time or browse photos online.
When your child sees where they’ll be going, it removes a lot of the mystery and of course, tension and fear from their mind.
Practice Listening and Speaking Activities at Home
Before their appointment, you can help build their confidence. It’s not that complex. You can do simple, speech-related activities like
- Singing nursery rhymes together
- Reading books and pointing at pictures
- Playing sound imitation games (like “say moo like a cow!”)
This gives them a little “warm-up” and shows that communication can be all fun.
Make It a Special Day
Okay, one more thing you can do is to turn this first appointment into a small celebration. Maybe stop by your child’s favorite bakery after, or plan a movie night. Associating child speech therapy with positive outcomes may help them feel excited about future sessions.
Choose the Right Therapist
When it comes to speech therapy for kids in Dubai, finding the best pediatric speech therapist is not that easy. Because there are many clinics, many therapists and finding the suitable one looks very confusing.
You must look for only board-certified therapists who have experience with speech disorders in children in Dubai. Make sure they use interactive tools like games, toys, or storybooks and offer a calm and welcoming environment.
When you tell your kids that the doctors or teachers(we mean the therapists) are very fun-loving and are great with kids, this will make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
See, preparing your child for their first pediatric speech therapy appointment in Dubai doesn’t have to be stressful. You can follow all the above-discussed things.
We at Hope AMC take care of everything. Our board-certified speech and language therapists offer tailored speech therapy treatment to children to address their specific problems.
Plus, our team is very friendly and dedicated! We have a safe environment where your child will be at ease! And, we involve parents in our therapy plan so that they can help out the kids even at home.
Visit our official website! Or, book a consultation now!
