Early articulation can make all the difference! Building a strong speech foundation early in life helps kids communicate clearly and confidently. Between playground chats and classroom discussions, mastering those tricky sounds makes a big impact! Let’s set kiddos up for success with the sounds they need.

Engaging reluctant students in school-based speech therapy can be challenging, yet worth every bit of effort. Successful speech therapy lies in the students' active participation and enthusiasm. Without engagement, progress slows, and the benefits of therapy may dwindle. So, how do we capture and hold the interest of those who are hesitant?

Play-based learning is a fundamental approach in speech therapy that leverages children's natural inclination towards play to foster speech and language development. Unlike traditional methods, which may rely heavily on structured exercises, play-based learning integrates therapeutic goals into interactive and enjoyable activities. This approach recognizes that children learn best when they are actively engaged and motivated.

Visual schedules play a key role in maintaining structure and predictability in therapy sessions. These schedules provide a roadmap of activities, helping both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and their clients navigate virtual sessions with clarity and predictability.

Building a strong rapport with students is more important than you might expect when it comes to effective therapy. This connection promotes trust, encourages engagement, and enhances overall outcomes. However, in a teletherapy setting, where face-to-face interactions are replaced with virtual connections, establishing this rapport can be a little more challenging. However, it is not only possible but also crucial for the success of remote therapy sessions.

In teletherapy, especially when working with preschoolers, engagement is essential. Young children have naturally shorter attention spans and are easily distracted, making it crucial to capture and sustain their interest throughout the session. The virtual format adds an extra layer of complexity, requiring new and creative approaches to keep therapy both fun and effective.

Discover the joy of taking speech therapy sessions outdoors with these engaging activities. From nature scavenger hunts to outdoor role-play and language games, these activities target various speech and language goals. Tailor them to your clients' needs and make learning effective and enjoyable. Let nature be your therapy backdrop for a refreshing and engaging experience.

Discover the benefits of taking speech therapy sessions outdoors. From physical health and sensorimotor development to language enrichment and social skills, outdoor activities enhance therapy outcomes. The novelty and engagement of the outdoor environment create a fresh context for learning. Prioritize safety and individual needs for a stimulating and effective outdoor therapy experience.

Discover the excitement of incorporating scavenger hunts into your speech therapy sessions. Whether indoors or outdoors, scavenger hunts keep clients engaged while targeting speech and language goals. Find themed resources on TPT, adapt tasks to individual needs, and watch as clients light up with enthusiasm. Scavenger hunts add a dynamic and interactive twist to therapy, fostering progress and enjoyment. Try it out and experience the adventure firsthand!

These are some of my favorite Valentine's Day apps for speech-language therapy. They help practice targets such as vocabulary, following directions, verbs, articulation, prepositions, and more! These apps provide engaging and educational activities for therapy sessions.

Articulation Station Hive is a comprehensive app for articulation needs, offering various levels and activities. However, the pricing model as a subscription service may not be ideal for SLPs reliant on school funds. The app's features, such as expanded levels and updated word lists, are impressive. The data collection page with graphed progress is a valuable tool, allowing for easy tracking and planning for future sessions. Despite the pricing structure, the app's enhancements make it a worthwhile consideration for articulation therapy.

Speedy Speech® is an evidence-based program that focuses on short, intensive 1:1 drill-based sessions to improve speech-sound production. The program includes workbooks for various phonemes, providing flexibility to target specific speech sounds. It offers a comprehensive package, including a program guide, auditory discrimination pair sets, drill pages, conversational prompts, data collection forms, and more. The program also provides guidance on writing service times in IEPs and implementing it for RTI. With minimal academic disruption and a focus on quick progress, Speedy Speech® offers an efficient and effective approach to speech therapy.

Looking to add affordable holiday-themed items to your therapy room? Check out these must-have items under $5! Foam snowflakes are great for scavenger hunts and home practice. Themed stickers make decorating activities fun while targeting various skills. Wrapping paper offers versatile crafting opportunities. Mini presents are perfect for teaching concepts and articulation games. Toy catalogs engage students in speech sound search, categorization, and perspective-taking activities. Find these budget-friendly items at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or request free catalogs. Elevate your Christmas therapy with these engaging and cost-effective tools!

Incorporating wrapping paper into therapy sessions is a creative and budget-friendly way to engage students during the holiday season. From crafts to games, the possibilities are endless. Use wrapping paper to target a range of goals, including categories, pronouns, verbs, MLU expansion, prepositions, requesting, turn-taking, following directions, basic concepts, and articulation. With its colorful and tactile nature, wrapping paper adds an element of excitement to therapy sessions while providing meaningful opportunities for learning and skill practice.

Looking for fun Christmas apps for speech-language therapy? Try Toca Hair Salon: Christmas for verbs and color vocabulary, Elf Yourself for motivation and requesting, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party for following directions and recall, More Pie! for cooking and life skills, and Merry Christmas - Activities for a variety of targets. These apps are engaging and perfect for the holiday season!

The treasure box may not be the best choice for rewards. Instead, try scented rewards like lip balm, markers, and stickers. Scented lip balm, or "smellies," is a hit. Mr. Sketch scented markers and smelly stickers are also great options. Tailor your rewards to suit your students' preferences. Find these rewards on my Amazon page and add a "scent"sational touch to your rewards!

Looking for a more efficient way to target articulation goals? Consider implementing the 5 Minute Speech service delivery model. This approach involves short, frequent, and intensive therapy sessions that can benefit students of all ages and with various speech sound errors. With minimal planning and the use of technology, such as iPad apps, you can engage students and see positive results. Plus, you can adapt the setting to ensure student privacy and maximize session time. Discover how the 5 Minute Speech model can enhance your therapy sessions and explore the research supporting its effectiveness.

Looking for fun and interactive Thanksgiving-themed apps for speech-language therapy? Check out these favorites: Hand Turkey, Thanksgiving Puzzles, More Holiday Dinner!, and More Pie! These apps offer engaging activities while targeting various therapy goals such as vocabulary, following directions, verbs, and life skills. Whether it's creating a turkey, solving puzzles, preparing a feast, or baking a pie, these apps are sure to add excitement to your sessions. Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking for fun and engaging Halloween-themed apps for speech-language therapy? Check out these favorites: Go Away Big Green Monster, Pumpkin Carving Salon, Frankenstein Build and Play, and Peek-a-Boo Trick or Treat. These apps offer interactive activities that target various therapy goals such as vocabulary, sequencing, body parts, emotions, and more. From reading interactive books to carving virtual pumpkins, these apps are sure to make your Halloween sessions spooktacular! Happy Halloween!

Are you a speech-language pathologist working with preschoolers? Discover how to make the most of your SLP NOW membership with these three favorite ways to engage your preschool students. Start with books and companions, using themed books and activity packs to facilitate language development. Then, incorporate hands-on crafts that reinforce vocabulary, sequencing, and articulation skills. Finally, utilize extension activities for carryover and less structured practice. With SLP NOW, you have a wealth of resources to create engaging and effective therapy sessions for your preschoolers. Enjoy exploring the themes and activities that both you and your students will love!