How to Prepare Your Child's Speech for School

Before school, it's not just about knowing the letters — a child also needs to confidently express their thoughts, pronounce all sounds correctly, and understand what they hear.

Checklist for ages 6–7

• all sounds are pronounced correctly (or are being actively corrected);
• the child builds detailed sentences and can retell a text;
• understands multi-step instructions;
• is interested in letters and tries to read syllable by syllable;
• can name objects, actions, and qualities (big, red, running).

Common issues before school

• residual sound distortions (R, L, Sh sounds);
• dyslexia and dysgraphia — difficulties with reading and writing;
• weak connected speech, fear of answering in front of the class;
• inattention when completing tasks.

What parents can do at home

• read aloud for 10–15 minutes every day;
• talk about what was read: "what happened?", "why?";
• play word games, rhymes, and object-description games;
• avoid harsh corrections — it's better to gently repeat the correct version.

When a speech therapist is needed

If, by age 6, speech is still unclear, the child avoids reading, or confuses similar-looking letters, it's worth scheduling a diagnostic assessment and, if needed, speech therapy or articulation therapy.

At Skazka Center, we prepare children for school comprehensively: speech, attention, and neuropsychology all together.