Speech and Articulation Class

Voice and articulation class is a playful, holistic approach to addressing your childs voice and speech difficulties in a small group setting of 5 children. These group classes are aimed at children from the age of 4-8 with speech and communication difficulties who are are either waiting to see a speech and language therapist or need to build confidence in communicating themselves in a public setting. I do cater for older and younger children if necessary. 

We will do a short, private consultation where I can assess your child's speech sounds and how they are experiencing difficulty making that sound physically and in day to day life situations. We will do a very simple call and response test where I will speak a sound and ask your child to repeat it.  I will make a note after each sound and then move onto the next sound. When we have a clear picture of where the difficulties are being experienced, I can then design an individual class plan for your child, which will then be integrated into the group class plan. It is important to note that I am not a speech and language therapist and I do not diagnose tongue or lip tie or cleft pallet. 

I have trained in voice and speech production for 20 years and I am a qualified Speech and Drama Teacher with a Masters in Applied Drama and Performance Studies. I have been teaching children for ten years and teaching voice production to kids and adults alike for 15 years. 

My approach to speech and articulation class is a somatic one which aims to generate an inner glow of confidence in your child by teaching them to express themselves using all the tools for communication: 

  • Breathing and taking time
  •  Organization of their ideas and feelings - What I am thinking?  What do I need to say and to whom?
  • A physical understanding of how speech sounds are made - Clear and definite placement of the organs of articulation through repetition, games and simple group exercises

Then putting all these concepts together through short task-based exercises using music, drama and movement.  A lot of my class will be done through movement and voice integration;  I find the group setting is a great way to generate mutual support between the kids,  and physical activity helps to alleviate stress and increase focus and concentration incorporating muscle memory to support a deep, integrated understanding of speech and articulation.

I generaly recommend a block of ten sessions to start off, giving the work time to integrate into daily life and communication.

However it is also possible to book a short block of 4 or 6 sessions to see if your child is happy in the class and if this style of teaching is suitable for them.

There are several venues for these classes and it is possible to organize an after school session in your childs school if there are enough children to fill the class. 

Classes begin in October 2015

Class is a 45 mins session

A block of ten sessions is €400. Otherwise it is €50 per session (booking a minimum of 4 sessions) and €30 concession price for single parents and unemployed.