Category: Speech and language Tips

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Speech and language Tips

Tips to embed Speech and Language Practice into everyday activities

Do you have a child with speech and language delays? Are you looking for fun, easy ways to practice? Did you know embedding practice throughout the day is the best way to work on carry over? Interested in learning more? Check out these 5 Tips on when and how you can practice speech and language.

1. Meal Time:  During meal times, talk about everyone’s day or something special that will be happening. Ask your child about their favorite food and use descriptive words to talk about what they are eating. You can also use words that start with the speech sound they are working on.

2. Sing Songs: Songs and Nursery rhymes are awesome ways to build language. You child will be more willing to participate and will learn new words. If your child is just starting to speak you can sing and pause so that they can fill in words.

3. Games: During game play your child can practice turn taking, answer questions, build vocabulary and concepts, improve their ability to follow directions and practice the speech sounds they are working on.  

4. Outside play: You can work on your child’s ability to follow directions, build vocabulary, increase understanding of basic concepts and work on speech sounds all while enjoying outside fun.

5. Read Books: This impacts language development so much! Using the same daily book is okay and repetitive books are great! If your child is working a specific speech sound find words in books so they can practice their sounds.

Never heard of SimplyFun? Checkout my website to see all that we have to offer! Each game list suggestions to modify for children with special needs

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more ways to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

Tina Williams, M.A., CCC-SLP

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Speech and language Tips

Using Puppets to Build Language Skills

Did you know that playing with puppets is a great educational activity?  Your child can build skills in a variety of areas!  As a speech language pathologist, my favorite area is using puppets to build language skills! Puppets offer children an engaging way to interact and explore their knowledge and understanding of the world.  During puppet play children use language to have conversations and to role play developing their skills in this area!

SimplyFun’s Tibbar the Rabbit is featured in the game Wake Up Stars, which focuses on storytelling and social relationships. Find out what makes your friends and Tibbar happy or sad, by sharing stories about what makes them feel the emotions found on the faces of the stars! Check out the video!

https://www.simplyfun.com/pws/TinaWilliams/tabs/how-to-play.aspx?Sku=SF176

SimplyFun’s Digger the Dog can help your child learn colors, shapes and counting while you learn how to match!  Having him as a friend to share in your child’s adventures is a great way to build language skills! Check out the video of the game!

https://www.simplyfun.com/pws/TinaWilliams/tabs/how-to-play.aspx?Sku=SF058

Pickles the Pig is featured in SimplyFun’s Pickles’ Pig Tales! This SimplyFun game focuses on story telling and communication. Tell the story from the beginning during each turn, then add one new sentence to it based on the object shown on the card drawn. Your child will use their imagination as Pickles joins them in their adventures!

https://www.simplyfun.com/pws/TinaWilliams/tabs/how-to-play.aspx?Sku=SF064

Looking for more information or want to add any of these games to your collection?  Check out 

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family or to attend your vendor event!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

5 Summer Fun ideas to build language skills!!

Are you looking to help your child build their language skills? Building vocabulary, increasing understanding of basic concepts, answering questions and telling stories are all important skills to develop! There are lots of fun things to do in the Summer to increase your child’s skills in this area! Let’s explore 5 of them!

1. Scavenger Hunts- Pick a few items around your home, take pictures or write a list, then hide them around your yard or if you are heading out make a list of items for your child to look for! Your child will build vocabulary and increase their understanding of basic concepts as they search for the items. Work on answering questions as you give them clues to help them find the items and then when they are done have them tell a story about what they did!

2. Water Play- Fill a bucket, plastic tote or small pool with a variety of items: scoops, cups, funnels, spoon, and toys and let your child play! Model language as you play: “I am pouring the water., “The duck is swimming.” You can work on vocabulary, concepts, questions and story telling! Is your child working on a particular speech sound? Fill the bucket with items starting with that sound for lots of embedded speech practice.

3. A day at the Beach (or lake) – Introduce beach and water vocabulary, work on following directions and concept development during sand play, take a walk and work on questions and story telling skills. Encourage your child talk to other children to build social language skills.

4. Library Story Time/Reading – Find books about summer and summer activities to read with your child. Join in on your local library’s story time for some inspiration and to help your child build social language skills as they interact with peers.

5. Summer Inspired board Games – Board games can be played outside or inside when the weather isn’t great! Choose from a variety of SimplyFun games to build vocabulary, to increase your child’s ability to follow directions and to learn new concepts!

Looking for more information or want to add any of these games to your collection?  Check out 

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

5 Ways to practice Speech and Language Skills in the Car!!

Are you taking a much needed vacation this summer? Are you traveling with your kids in the car? Are you looking for fun ways to embed speech and language practice? Speech sounds, vocabulary, increasing understanding of basic concepts, answering questions and telling stories are all important skills to practice! There are lots of fun things to do in the Car to increase your child’s skills in this area! Let’s explore 5 of them!

1. I Spy:  Players can take turns describing familiar items or objects (choose items based on target speech sounds or target vocabulary). The other players guess until someone discovers the mystery word. 

2. Categories: One player chooses a category (animals, a color, food) and every player will then take a turn naming a item in the category.

3. Movie time: During a long trip you may want to put on some of your child’s favorite videos. Every so often pause the show and ask questions (Who is that character?, What do you think will happen next?, What is your favorite part of the movie?)

4. License Plate Game: Find license plates from different states and teach your child a fun fact about that state!  Plus you can make a list to see how many of the states you can find plates for. Is your child working on a specific speech sound? Have them find that letter/sound on plates (I found a “k”.)

5. SimplyFun Chat Rings: These rings are sized perfectly for travel and have many questions to get your children thinking and using their communication skills.

Looking for more information or want to add any of these Chat Rings to your collection?  Check out 

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

Language Development for Preschoolers

Are you wondering if your preschooler is on target in their speech and language development? Are you concerned that they aren’t speaking as much as you think they should? Or are you wondering what speech and language skills you should be working on to help them prepare for kindergarten? I have been working as a speech language pathologist with preschoolers for over 26 years and this is such an exciting age for language development! Preschoolers increase their skills so much in such a short period of time! So first take a breath and remember that all children develop differently and have different strengths and needs. 

Below are lists of behaviors that your child will probably have as a 3, 4 and 5 year old. If you have concerns that your child is delayed in this area consider consulting with a speech-language pathologist for further guidance.  Many school systems will provide screenings for preschoolers to help identify children who may be at risk so contact your local one.  If they can’t help they should be able to provide you with other local agencies that can!

3 year olds:

4 year olds:

5 year olds:

Looking for some new board games to support your child’s language?  SimplyFun may have something for you! Check out:

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

Language Development for Toddlers

Are you wondering if your toddler is on target in their speech and language development? Are you concerned that they aren’t using words or only have a few? I have been working as a speech language pathologist with toddlers for over 16 years and it is exciting to see how this age group learns language! First, remember that all children develop differently and some children will take a little longer to acquire language. 

Below are lists of behaviors that your child will probably have as a 1 1/2, 2 and 2/ 1/2 year old. If you have concerns that your child is delayed in this area consider consulting with a speech-language pathologist for further guidance.  Most states have Early Intervention Agencies that can help! These agencies work with children under 3 and often provide their services for free.

1 1/2 year olds:

2 year olds:

2 1/2 year olds:

Want to connect? I would love to help you find ways for you to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

5 Fun Fall Activities to Build Language Skills

Are you looking to help your child build their language skills? Building vocabulary, increasing understanding of basic concepts, answering questions and telling stories are all important skills to develop! There are lots of fun things to do during the Fall to increase your child’s skills in this area! Let’s explore 5 of them!

1. Pumpkin Painting- You can start by picking out a pumpkin and while you do work on size and shape concepts (big, small, round). While painting you can help your child work on following directions, building vocabulary and answering questions as you discuss what they are making!

2. Apple Picking- This is such a great family activity and bonus there are lots of opportunities to build vocabulary, to increase your child’s ability to follow directions and to work on answering and asking questions.

3. Hay Rides – A trip to a farm that includes a hay ride should give your child opportunities to build their vocabulary and to work on answering and asking questions! If your child is working on speech there should also be lots of opportunities to practice their sounds as they make animal noises and name the different things that they observe. 

4. Nature walk/scavenger hunt – Have your child hunt for autumn objects (different color leaves, acorns) as you take them for a walk outside! Work on concepts as you give them directions on where to find items or as you help them make observations about what they see! When you get home have them tell someone about their experiences.

5. Halloween/trick or treating- If your family celebrates this is the perfect opportunity to build language! When I used to screen kindergarteners for speech and language I loved doing it near Halloween as the children were so willing to share! Embedding language practice can start while your child is picking their costume.  Give them lots of opportunities to tell family members what they are going to be and after the holiday encourage them to talk about what happened.  Teaching the rules of Halloween is a great way to work on following directions, whether they will be going door to door or participating in a Trunk or Treat event!

Bonus tip! For those rainy/colder days playing family games is a great way to work on language skills! If you are looking for some new games to add to your collection?  Check out 

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

Tips for communicating with your child’s SLP

Does your child receive speech and language therapy or do you have concerns about their speech development? Connecting with your child’s speech therapist is an important piece of the puzzle to helping your child make progress towards their goals!

First, what is a speech language pathologist/SLP/speech therapist/speech teacher and what is their role?  SLPs are experts in communication and use their knowledge of speech and language development to help children learn to communicate more effectively.  A master’s degree is required as well as continued professional development to keep up to date on their certification.  Your child will be evaluated by an SLP and goals will be created to help them increase their communication skills.

Next, what is the role of a parent or caregiver? Parents are experts about their children! They know their child better than anyone-their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses and what motivates them. And this is important information for the SLP! They are also the people that spend the most time with their child so they have an important role in helping their child make progress towards their goals.

SLPs and parents working together is the best way to achieve these goals! Embedding speech and language practice throughout your child’s day is the fastest way for them to make progress. Here a few tips to help you to develop a good relationship with your child’s SLP.

1. Develop those goals together- the SLP will be able to provide information about what is developmentally appropriate, but don’t be afraid to share what is important to your family.

2. Ask questions- your speech therapist should be asking you questions to develop appropriate therapy activities and you should be asking questions to make sure that you understand why they are suggesting certain activities and how to complete those therapy activities.

3. Communication – parents and SLPs need to communicate so let your SLP know what your preference is (text, phone call, email) and be sure to respond to their questions as they want to do everything they can to help your child. Speech therapy is an ongoing process and things can change over time. You are a team so celebrate those successes together and work together to figure out something new if what you are doing isn’t working.

4. Practice- your SLP will only spend 30 minutes to an hour a week with your child.  They will work hard to teach new skills, but for your child to master those skills they will need practice. Your SLP should be able to provide you with fun ways for you to embed speech and language practice throughout your day- hopefully in ways that will be easy for busy moms and dads to do. Try to practice as much as possible and if it becomes too much talk with your SLP to let them know!

Want to connect? I love being an SLP and am here to help!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed speech and language skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

Tips to Embed Speech and Language Practice During Halloween

Are you looking to help your child build their language skills? Building vocabulary, increasing understanding of basic concepts, answering questions and telling stories are all important skills to develop! There are lots of fun things to do at Halloween to embed practice! Let’s explore a few of them!

1. Let’s start with picking a costume! Start early and use this decision making process to build those skills-even if they (or you) know what they are going to be! You can start guiding their choice by asking simple questions: Do they want a scary costume? Which princess is your favorite? What color witch (or turtle or ninja or spiderman) is your favorite? As you are asking questions you are also building new vocabulary! Once they have the costume you can talk about it to continue to build the vocabulary.  Let them practice their language skills by telling everyone what they are going to be!

2. Practice or pretend trick or treating (or trunk or treating). Put on those costumes (or any dress up clothes) and have them pretend they are trick or treating-use chairs in the dining room for each “house”! You don’t have to give them candy-give them a fruit snack or a gold fish cracker at each stop! Teach your child the words to use and let them practice saying them. Explain the steps of what they will do on the big day a you pretend! Use concept words as you practice! Again you can use this as an opportunity to build new vocabulary.  Finally, have them tell someone what they did to build story telling skills!

3. There are so many great Halloween books: Five Little Pumpkins, The little old lady who was not afraid of anything by Linda Williams, Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton. Plus check out your child’s favorite characters: Pete the cat, Big Blue truck, Froggie all have Halloween books available.  As you read with your child you are introducing new vocabulary. Have them point to pictures, repeat words and phrases and answer questions about the book. Reading impacts language development so much and repetitive books are awesome! If you child is working a specific speech sound find words in books so they can practice their sound!

4. When Halloween finally arrives just enjoy the night! It’s fine if they forget everything you practiced or if they get scared and don’t want to participate! You had fun practicing, they built their language skills and there is always next year!

Bonus tip! Games are a great way to build those language skills!  Check out My Monster or Mirror Mansion from SimplyFun!

https://www.simplyfun.com/TinaWilliams

Want to connect? I would love to help you find more games to Laugh and Learn Through Play with your family!  https://www.facebook.com/TinaWilliamsSimplyFunIndependentConsultant/

or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

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Speech and language Tips

Speech and language therapy at home

Do you have a child with speech and language delays? Are you a home school mom wondering how you can help? Are you looking for fun, easy ways to practice at home? Did you know embedding practice throughout the day is the best way to work on carry over? Interested in learning more? Check out these Tips on when and how you can practice speech and language at home. For the best results talk to your child’s speech and language therapist to prioritize the goals you want to address! If you don’t have a speech therapist please feel free to message you and I will help you with the process of finding one!

1. Model Speech and language: Use grammatically correct sentences and speak clearly at an appropriate rate. Use simple vocabulary words they are familiar with or remember to explain the meaning of a new word. If they say a word wrong model the correct way rather than correcting them. 

2. Meal Time:  During meal times, talk about everyone’s day or something special that will be happening. Ask your child about their favorite food and use descriptive words to talk about what they are eating. You can also use words that start with the speech sound they are working on.

3. Verbal Routines: Say the same thing each time you play with something. For example, while playing with a car you could always say “ready, set, go” or you can count steps as you go up or downstairs. 

4. Trick Them: When you put out materials for them “forget” something so they have to make a request. For example, put out coloring books, but forget the crayons to provide practice requesting. 

5. Read Books: This impacts language development so much! Using the same daily book is okay and repetitive books are great! If your child is working a specific speech sound find words in books so they can practice their sounds.

6. Sing Songs: Songs and Nursery rhymes are awesome ways to build language. You child will be more willing to participate and will learn new words. If your child is just starting to speak you can sing and pause so that they can fill in words.

7. Narrate Life: Talk about routines as you are doing them. Comment and expand on what they say using modifiers. The more you model the more they learn.

8. Have Fun: Learning language through play is the best! Outdoor play, board games, and playing with toys will all provide you with many opportunities to work on speech and language skills!

I participated in a Podcast sharing these tips! Check it out!

https://anchor.fm/katie-silliman/episodes/Tips-for-working-on-speech-at-home-e19r3hk

Want to connect? Join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3311410002281605/

Looking for additional ideas on how to embed skills development into everyday activities? Join my email list for my monthly newsletter!    

https://forms.aweber.com/form/67/1854092667.htm

Tina Williams, M.A., CCC-SLP