What is a key principle in speech sound treatment for children?

Prioritizing generalization across contexts is a vital principle in speech sound treatment for children because it emphasizes the importance of ensuring that learned skills are applicable in varied environments and situations. When children acquire speech sounds, the ultimate goal is for them to use these sounds not just in the therapy room, but also at home, school, and in social interactions. By focusing on generalization, therapists can help children transfer their speech skills to real-life situations, which enhances the effectiveness of the treatment.

In contrast, concentrating solely on articulation without context can limit the child's ability to use those sounds in everyday communication. Providing immediate feedback only during practice may not support learning when children encounter speech demands outside of structured practice sessions. Isolating phonemes for individual practice might be necessary at certain stages, but it is insufficient for developing the flexibility needed for conversational speech where sounds must be integrated naturally into connected speech. The focus on generalization ensures that learning is comprehensive and functional.