Can’t Talk if You Can’t Sit? How Core Strength Impacts Speech

The PT & Speech Connection

It might seem strange that a physical therapist cares about babbling, but May is "Better Hearing and Speech Month," and the connection is huge.

The "Stability Before Mobility" Rule: In order for a child to use their jaw, tongue, and breath to produce speech, they need a stable "anchor"—their core. If a baby is struggling to sit up or has a "floppy" trunk, their brain is working overtime just to stay upright. It doesn't have the "budget" left to focus on complex language.

What to look for:

• Is your child "W-sitting" to stay stable?

• Does your child seem to lose their breath when trying to make sounds?

• Are they hitting speech milestones but behind on crawling?

A strong foundation leads to a stronger voice. If you feel your child is "stuck" in speech therapy, the missing piece might be their physical core.

Schedule a free consult with me today to learn more