How Speech Therapy Supports School Readiness in Phnom Penh

Before a child ever picks up a pencil or learns to count, they need one foundational skill: the ability to communicate. Whether it’s asking for help, understanding instructions, or participating in group activities, speech and language are central to success in school.

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our speech therapy programs help children build these foundational communication skills, preparing them not only for the classroom—but for lifelong learning.

Communication Challenges That Affect School Success

Children with speech or language delays often enter school with hidden barriers. They may:

• Struggle to follow classroom instructions

• Have difficulty answering questions or participating

• Avoid speaking due to embarrassment

• Misunderstand peers during social interactions

• Experience behavioral issues caused by frustration

These challenges can lead to academic delays and poor self-confidence—especially if not addressed early.

Read how communication issues impact classroom behavior.

Speech Therapy Before School Starts: Why It Matters

Many parents wait until school age to address communication concerns. But research shows that intervening during the preschool years leads to better outcomes.

Speech therapy before school helps children:

• Build vocabulary and grammar for storytelling

• Understand and follow two- and three-step directions

• Ask questions and respond appropriately

• Express feelings and ideas clearly

• Develop pre-literacy skills like rhyming and sound awareness

Learn more about preschool programs that support early communication.

How OrbRom Center Prepares Children for the Classroom

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our speech therapy sessions are tailored for school readiness. We work on the communication skills children need to succeed in both academic and social environments.

Key focus areas include:

• Listening and comprehension: understanding stories and classroom talk

• Expressive language: forming full sentences, using descriptive words

• Social communication: initiating and maintaining peer conversations

• Speech clarity: pronouncing sounds correctly

• Pre-literacy: phonemic awareness, letter-sound connection

Our therapists use play, visual aids, and interactive routines that reflect what children will experience in a real classroom.

See how we use sentence-building games for early learners.

Real Skills for Real-Life Situations

Here are just a few examples of how speech therapy builds everyday readiness:

• Asking for a toilet break instead of having accidents

• Responding to name call during roll call

• Following classroom rules like “sit down” or “raise your hand”

• Sharing and taking turns using language, not grabbing

• Answering “WH” questions during circle time

Try this interactive WH-question activity at home.

Collaboration with Preschool Teachers

At OrbRom, we work closely with teachers and families to support generalization—so the progress made in therapy shows up in school settings. We often share:

• Progress updates with teachers

• Classroom strategies to support speech goals

• Visual supports and daily routines

We also help prepare children transitioning into inclusive or special needs preschool programs.

Read about our preschool transition support.

When Should You Start?

If your child is between the ages of 2–5 and you notice:

• Unclear speech

• Limited vocabulary

• Difficulty following instructions

• Challenges making friends or joining play
  —then it’s the right time to start speech therapy.

We offer full developmental assessments that include communication evaluations to help families create a plan before school starts.

Give Your Child a Confident Start

Speech therapy is more than just correcting sounds. It’s about giving your child the tools to learn, socialize, and thrive in a classroom.

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our team is committed to preparing your child for school with strong communication, social, and thinking skills that make every school day a success.

Click here to learn about our speech therapy program.