Speech Goals Your Child Needs for Back-to-School (And How to Get Them Ready!)
Speech goals for school readiness are essential for your child’s success as they head back to class. In this back-to-school season, focusing on these speech-based objectives ensures your child is not only understood—but also confident, literate, and ready to learn.
Back-to-school season is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially if your child struggles with speech or communication skills. Clear speech is more than just “sounding right”; it affects reading, writing, and confidence in the classroom.
At Speak2Read Calgary, we focus on integrated speech and literacy support, helping children get school-ready without the long waitlists or gaps that many other programs have.
Why Speech Goals Matter for School Success
Speech is the foundation of all learning. Children who struggle to:
- Pronounce certain sounds clearly
- Form complete sentences
- Understand or follow directions
…may also experience challenges in reading, spelling, writing, and social interactions.
Many speech therapy programs only see children on long waitlists or have seasonal group sessions, delaying support during the critical early school months.
Speak2Read Solution: We offer immediate, one-on-one sessions for children, in-person in Calgary (NE, NW, SE) or online. Your child can start building the skills they need before the school year begins.
Here are essential areas to focus on:
1. Clear Pronunciation
Children need to be understood by teachers and peers. Mispronounced sounds can lead to frustration and avoidant behavior.
Our Approach: Speech therapy is integrated with reading instruction to reinforce sound awareness — helping kids hear, say, and recognize sounds in words.
2. Sentence Structure & Grammar
Speaking in complete sentences allows your child to participate fully in class discussions and write coherent sentences in schoolwork.
Our Approach: We strengthen oral language alongside literacy skills, so your child’s spoken and written communication develop together.
3. Confidence & Communication Skills are key goals for school readiness
Confidence is key to asking questions, participating in group activities, and making friends.
Our Approach: Our one-on-one, child-centered approach helps children gain confidence while practicing real-world communication skills, not just isolated drills.
4. Sound-to-Letter Connections are essential for school readiness
Children who struggle with certain sounds may also struggle with reading and spelling.
Our Approach: By linking speech to reading and writing, we ensure children can decode words correctly and apply their skills in the classroom.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school success depends on more than just backpacks and school supplies — it’s built on clear speech, confident communication, and literacy skills.
For more on how speech supports literacy and classroom success, check out the Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) resources on early language and literacy. Many Canadian parents also find helpful back-to-school tips from trusted sources like Caring for Kids (by the Canadian Paediatric Society)
At Speak2Read, we help children bridge the gap left by school programs and other therapy providers, ensuring they enter the classroom ready to thrive.
📅 Spots are open now for Calgary children in-person or online.