Speech Therapy Exercises at Home for Adults and Children

Quick answer

Short, regular practice matched to the problem, guided by a therapist

Speech problems range from unclear articulation and slurred speech after stroke (dysarthria) to stuttering, language difficulties (aphasia) and developmental delays. Home exercises include lip, tongue and jaw movements, breathing and phrasing practice, slow and exaggerated speech, tongue twisters, reading aloud and sound-specific drills for children through play. Practise 10–15 minutes once or twice daily, in a calm setting, stopping if tired. Evidence for non-speech oral motor exercises alone is limited; targeted speech practice and professional assessment matter most. See a speech-language therapist for a child with unclear speech or delay, for adults with sudden slurred speech or difficulty finding words (urgent), and for stuttering.

Important. Sudden slurred speech, difficulty finding or understanding words, facial droop or arm weakness is a possible stroke and needs emergency care. A child who is not babbling by 12 months, has few words by 18–24 months, or who loses speech skills needs prompt assessment.

What speech therapy exercises are for

Speech therapy targets how clearly we speak (articulation), how smoothly we speak (fluency), the quality of the voice, and how we understand and use language. Home exercises reinforce what a therapist teaches and keep progress going between sessions. They are not a substitute for assessment: the right exercises depend on the cause. See dysarthria, late talker and voice therapy.

Mouth, lip and tongue exercises

Lips: smile wide, then pucker like a kiss; press lips together and release; blow raspberries; hold a lip seal for 5 seconds.
Tongue: stick the tongue out and in, move side to side, up to the nose and down to the chin, and curl it back along the roof of the mouth.
Jaw: open wide and close slowly, move the jaw side to side, chew exaggeratedly.
Cheeks: puff out and pull in.
Tongue resistance: press the tongue against a spoon or the roof of the mouth for 5 seconds.
Do 5–10 repetitions of each, a couple of times a day. These warm up the muscles; practise actual speech sounds for carry-over.

Breathing and voice exercises

Diaphragmatic breathing: hand on the belly, inhale through the nose letting the belly rise, exhale slowly on “sss” or while counting.
Phrasing practice: take a breath before each short phrase, speaking on the exhale.
Sustained sounds: hold “ah” or “mmm” for as long as comfortably possible, aiming for a steady tone.
Pitch glides: slide up and down on “ee” or “oo”.
Volume practice: count from one to ten, getting gradually louder, then softer.
Avoid straining; stop if the throat feels tight.

Articulation and clarity drills

Slow, exaggerated speech: over-pronounce each syllable and slow the pace.
Minimal pairs: practise words that differ by one sound (bat/pat, ship/chip).
Syllable repetition: “pa-ta-ka” repeated quickly and clearly (diadochokinesis).
Tongue twisters: start slowly (“red lorry, yellow lorry”) and increase speed.
Reading aloud: read a paragraph daily, record yourself and listen back.
Self-monitoring: use a mirror to see mouth movements.
Choose target sounds with your therapist, and practise within words, phrases and conversation.

For adults with speech difficulties

After stroke or in Parkinson’s disease (dysarthria): work on loudness, slower pace, over-articulation and breath support; programmes such as LSVT LOUD are effective for Parkinson’s. See dysarthria.
Aphasia: naming practice with pictures, repeating words and phrases, conversation practice, using gestures and writing; family communication strategies.
Stuttering: easy onset, light contact, pausing and slower rate; therapy aims for easier, more confident speech rather than “curing”.
After laryngeal or oral surgery: swallowing and voice exercises as directed.
Voice problems: hygiene, SOVT exercises and relaxed breathing. See hoarseness.
Work with a speech-language therapist to tailor exercises and measure progress.

For children

Make practice playful: games, songs, stories, picture cards and mirrors.
Model correct sounds and words rather than correcting harshly.
Read aloud together daily and talk about pictures, expand on what the child says.
Use short sessions of 5–10 minutes, several times a week.
Praise effort and keep it fun.
Reduce pressure: avoid “say it again” demands.
Check hearing if speech is delayed. See fluid in the ear.
A speech-language therapist can set individual targets.

Tips to make practice work

Practise little and often: 10–15 minutes once or twice daily works better than one long session.
Choose a quiet time when the person is rested and motivated.
Record progress with a voice recorder or app and review it.
Practise in real conversation, not just drills.
Be patient; progress can take weeks to months.
Involve family or carers and agree on communication strategies.
Stop if the person is tired or frustrated and try again later.

When to see a speech-language therapist or doctor

Sudden slurred speech, word-finding difficulty or facial droop: call emergency services.
A child not babbling by 12 months, with few words by 2 years, unclear speech after age 3 or regression.
Stuttering that lasts more than 6 months or causes distress.
Persistent hoarse voice or voice fatigue.
Speech changes with swallowing difficulty, drooling or weakness.
Slowly progressive speech problems in adults.
Hearing concerns.

Three common situations

A 4-year-old who says “tat” for “cat”: play-based drills with the target sound and an assessment if it persists.

An adult with Parkinson’s whose voice has become quiet: loudness-focused therapy and daily practice.

A person with sudden slurred speech: emergency; do not practise exercises.

Key points to remember

Speech exercises at home support, but do not replace, assessment by a speech-language therapist. Practise short and often, target the actual speech problem and seek help early. Our speech therapy team can design a programme for you or your child.

This guide is for general information and does not replace an assessment by your own doctor or speech-language therapist.

Questions about speech therapy exercises

These answers are general information and do not replace an examination or individual medical advice.

What are good speech therapy exercises at home?

Lip and tongue movements, breathing practice, slow exaggerated speech, tongue twisters and reading aloud.

How often should I practise?

10–15 minutes once or twice a day, regularly.

Do mouth exercises improve speech?

They can warm up muscles, but practising the actual speech sounds matters most.

Can adults benefit from speech therapy?

Yes, after stroke, with Parkinson’s, aphasia, stuttering or voice problems.

When should a child see a speech therapist?

For delayed or unclear speech, or if skills are lost.

When is slurred speech an emergency?

When it begins suddenly, with facial droop or weakness.

Sources

This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice. How a problem is diagnosed and treated depends on your examination and medical history. If you think you have an emergency, contact your local emergency services.