If you’ve ever wondered how to give your child a strong start in school, or worried because reading or writing seems harder for them, there’s a simple answer that many parents don’t know. You may be surprised to learn that success in reading actually begins long before your child opens their first book. It starts with their basic speech and language skills.

From the moment your child begins babbling and listening to your voice, they’re laying the groundwork for their future literacy and learning. Clear speech and strong language skills form the foundation that every other part of school success builds on.

How Speech Skills Set the Stage for Reading Success

When your child speaks clearly and understands spoken language well, it becomes much easier for them to recognize, read, and write those same words later. Every conversation teaches them how sounds come together to form words, how words combine into sentences, and how ideas are shared and understood.

These early lessons develop the skills that make reading possible later on, including:

  • Sound awareness: noticing that words are made of smaller parts, like syllables and sounds (for example, hearing that “ball” and “bat” both start with B).
  • Vocabulary: knowing lots of words helps children understand stories and classroom instructions.
  • Comprehension: understanding what words mean when spoken—long before they’re seen in print.
  • Grammar and sentence structure: understanding how words fit together to make sense.

Why Speech Clarity Matters for Reading

Being able to hear and produce sounds accurately plays a big role in learning to read. If a child says “tat” for “cat,” they might have trouble recognizing that the letter C can make the “kuh” sound when reading.

In speech therapy, children learn how to pronounce sounds correctly, notice where their tongue and lips should be, and listen for the difference between similar sounds. This skill—called phonemic awareness—is one of the strongest predictors of later reading success.

When children can hear and feel the differences between sounds, sounding out words on a page becomes much easier.

Early Language Skills Empower Lifelong Learning

Strong speech and language skills don’t just make reading easier, they make all learning easier. This is because children who can follow directions, understand stories, and explain their ideas tend to do better in every subject, not just reading. They’re able to ask for help when they need it, participate in class discussions, and connect with teachers and friends.

When speech or language challenges go unrecognized, though, school can feel frustrating. A child might know the answer but struggle to express it, or misunderstand an instruction and fall behind. The good news is that, with early support, these challenges can be turned around quickly.

How to Strengthen Your Child’s Speech and Language Skills at Home

No matter your child’s age, there are simple ways to nurture strong speech and language skills every day. Here are a few to start with:

1. Talk a lot with your child

Describe what you’re doing as you cook, drive, or play. The more language your child hears and practices, the more their vocabulary and comprehension grow.

2. Read together often

Reading aloud is one of the best ways to support your child’s literacy. Choose colorful, engaging books, and ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think he did that?”

3. Play with sounds

Try rhyming games (“What rhymes with hat?”), or clap out syllables in words (“ta–ble,” “com–pu–ter”). These games teach sound awareness in a fun way.

4. Sing and recite rhymes

Songs naturally teach rhythm, repetition, and language patterns, all of which help with reading fluency later.

5. Encourage storytelling

Ask your child to tell you about their day, invent a story, or explain what’s happening in a picture book. Storytelling strengthens memory, sequencing, and expressive language.

6. Praise effort and curiosity

Celebrate your child’s attempts to use new words, read aloud, or ask questions. Confidence in communication is just as important as correctness.

Reach Out to Let’s Communicate for Expert Support

Speech and reading are deeply connected. When your child speaks clearly, understands words, and enjoys communicating, it helps them build the same skills that make reading and learning enjoyable. At Let’s Communicate Pediatric Therapy Services, we love helping children from birth through age 21 find their voice, strengthen their language, and discover the joy of learning.

If you’d like to give your child a strong foundation for school and beyond, or if you’re concerned about their speech or reading skills, call us at (678) 963-0694 today to schedule an evaluation. Together, we’ll help your child communicate confidently, read successfully, and shine in every classroom.