The Role of Speech Therapy in Supporting Classroom Engagement in Phnom Penh

A successful classroom experience depends on more than just academics. Children need strong communication skills to ask questions, follow directions, interact with peers, and feel confident participating in class. For children with speech and language delays, these daily classroom tasks can be frustrating or even overwhelming. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our speech therapy program helps students build the skills they need to connect, express, and thrive in school.

Why Communication Skills Matter in the Classroom

When children enter school, they’re expected to understand instructions, participate in group discussions, and follow multi-step tasks. But for children who struggle with language processing, articulation, or expressive speech, these seemingly simple expectations can become barriers to learning.

For example:

• A child may know the answer but hesitate to speak in front of others.

• Another may misunderstand instructions and appear inattentive.

• Some may avoid eye contact or group work due to low confidence in their communication skills.

These issues are not always linked to behavior or intelligence—they are often signs of an underlying speech or language delay.

What Speech Therapy Can Do

At OrbRom Center, our trained speech-language pathologists help children develop the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Whether it’s improving sentence structure, articulation, or language comprehension, therapy is tailored to each child’s specific needs and learning pace.

Speech therapy can help children:

• Speak more clearly and confidently

• Understand and follow instructions

• Build vocabulary and grammar for academic tasks

• Communicate needs and ideas effectively

• Engage more fully in peer interactions and classroom discussions

Through play-based and academic-focused activities, our sessions mirror real classroom environments to ensure generalization of skills.

The Link Between Speech Therapy and School Readiness

Communication delays often go hand-in-hand with school difficulties. Children with speech and language challenges may fall behind in reading, writing, and even social development. The good news? Early intervention can change that trajectory.

Speech therapy supports key areas tied to academic achievement:

• Phonological awareness: The foundation for reading and spelling

• Listening comprehension: Critical for understanding lessons

• Expressive language: Necessary for writing, presenting, and participating

• Social pragmatics: Helps children navigate peer relationships and group work

By addressing these skills early, students gain the confidence and readiness needed to participate fully in school life.

Classroom Collaboration at OrbRom Center

We believe that therapy should not be separate from a child’s educational journey—it should complement it. That’s why OrbRom Center collaborates with families and, when needed, classroom teachers to ensure consistency in support. Our therapists use evidence-based strategies and interactive tools to keep sessions engaging, personalized, and relevant to school routines.

We also provide regular progress reports and parent guidance to ensure goals are being met both in and out of the classroom.

Why Phnom Penh Families Trust OrbRom Center

Located in Phnom Penh, OrbRom Center is dedicated to supporting children with communication challenges through a compassionate, professional, and child-focused approach. Our goal is to empower children with the language tools they need—not just to get through the school day, but to enjoy it and thrive within it.

If you’ve noticed your child withdrawing from group activities, struggling to express themselves, or having difficulty with language tasks at school, early support can make all the difference. Our speech therapy services in Phnom Penh are here to help.