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The development of speech in toddlers is considered one of the major milestones of cognitive abilities (1). However, it might sometimes be difficult for some toddlers to start comprehending their feelings into thoughts. Therefore, speech therapists recommend using a speech therapy app for toddlers to help improve their communication skills and encourage them to start conversing (2).
Read this post to know about a few speech therapy apps that you can use to get your little one talking.
12 Speech Therapy Apps For Toddlers
Speech therapy refers to the techniques used to improve the overall communication skills of toddlers by addressing disorders, such as articulation, apraxia of speech, or stuttering. Some toddlers might also have trouble putting words together or using language (2). Here are a few speech therapy apps that you may use for your toddler.
1. Articulation station
This comprehensive articulation app developed by Little Bee Speech helps toddlers improve their pronunciation and enunciation. It also provides a function where your toddler can record their voice and listen to it, which helps them work on their communication development.
Available on: iOS
2. Khan Academy Kids
This is a comprehensive app that can help toddlers learn about language, phonics, and writing skills. It helps improve their emotional-social skills. This app can be used from preschool until second grade as it contains age-appropriate content for all. It also lets children engage in fun physical activities, such as dancing and yoga.
3. Monkey preschool lunchbox
This exciting app is a collection of seven games that may help your toddler improve their skills colors, words, counting, letters, differences, and matching skills. Kids may love the animated monkey that helps them easily navigate the learning activities and have lots of fun while playing with it.
4. Itsy Bitsy Spider
This is an interactive musical book developed by Duck Duck Moose. Itsy Bitsy spider takes the toddler on a journey with the spider as it goes up the water spout, comes down with the rain, and then watches the sun dry up the rain. It plays the familiar nursery rhyme in the background that the child may enjoy. This app also helps children develop a wide range of pronunciation and vocabulary while enjoying the story.
Available On: Android
5. NACD Apraxia
This app was developed by the National Association for Child Development team and is useful for children suffering from childhood apraxia of speech/ dyspraxia. Speech therapists also recommend the use of this app to engage children in practicing vocabulary.
Available On: Android
6. Seasonal Directions
This is a colorful and visually attractive fun game that targets the comprehension and speech skills of children. There are also different animals present in the app which will keep your toddler engaged for longer periods.
Available On: iOS
7. Wh-Questions Island
This app was created by the Virtual Speech Centre Inc. It helps children with sentence formation, syntax, and articulation. Another interesting fact about this app is that the questions used here were developed by a certified speech and language therapist for children. So, your toddlers are sure to learn and improve their language skills.
Available On: iOS
8. Magical Concepts
This app was created by a certified speech-language pathologist who wanted toddlers to have fun while learning and be motivated to learn. This app contains more than 2000 colorful photos, and each one comes with individual audio instructions. Your toddler can earn stars for each correct response they give and eventually get rewarded with a magic show.
Available On: iOS
9. Reading aphasia
The reading aphasia app was created specifically for children who have difficulty in reading. This app contains 12 stimuli-related organized semantic categories that will greatly help toddlers practice their speaking skills and vocabulary at various levels.
Available On: iOS
10. Outdoor fun
This app was designed with the idea of providing a fun and receptive tool to speech pathologists to help toddlers practice their vocabulary and expressive skills better. It is not a pre-recorded app and the parent/guardian will have to sit with the toddler and guide them through every step. The app allows a better understanding of the concept and also increases human interaction.
Available On: iOS
11. Farm Academy
Farm academy is another app created by the Visual Speech Centre and a certified speech and language therapist. This app teaches toddlers the difference between big and small in farm-related terms. It also helps them learn their first vocabulary in learn mode and practice whatever they have learned in practice mode. It is a visually appealing and interactive app that may keep your toddler hooked for a certain time.
Available On: iOS
12. Splingo’s language universe
This app developed by the Speech and Language store contains high-quality interactive games for toddlers to help improve their listening and language skills. It is also easy for the kids to navigate the app as Splingo the alien guides them all along. Your toddler can practice their language and listening skills by interacting with the app’s images and by responding to Splingo’s instructions.
Available On: iOS
Using speech apps can help in developing conversing skills in your toddler. But it should not be the only source through which they learn. Speech-language therapists suggest that technology is not what builds connection, but it is the techniques that are used during the process which become the foundation stone for communication in your toddler (2). With the help of some apps and your constant support, you may help your toddler develop their speech.
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