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	<title>Activity Ideas Archives - Mrs. Speech Online</title>
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	<title>Activity Ideas Archives - Mrs. Speech Online</title>
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		<title>Elevating Speech-Language Therapy Through Gamification: A Playful Path to Progress</title>
		<link>https://mrsspeechonline.com/gamification-speech-therapy/</link>
					<comments>https://mrsspeechonline.com/gamification-speech-therapy/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Therapy Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Classroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gamification]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Skills]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Gamification is a powerful way to keep therapy fun and effective! Learn how using games—from simple board games to digital platforms—can boost motivation and progress in your sessions. What's your favorite game to use in therapy?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/gamification-speech-therapy/">Elevating Speech-Language Therapy Through Gamification: A Playful Path to Progress</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-gamification">Why Gamification?</h1>



<p>In the realm of speech-language therapy, engaging clients in meaningful activities that foster communication skills is paramount. However, maintaining motivation and enthusiasm throughout therapy sessions can sometimes be challenging. By infusing elements of play and competition into therapy activities, gamification not only makes learning more enjoyable but also enhances participation and accelerates progress.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is where gamification comes in as a powerful tool, a new term for something that most therapists have been using for decades.&nbsp; Just about every pediatric therapist uses games like Bingo, &#8220;Feed the Monster&#8221;, and various board games to help motivate students.&nbsp; But let&#8217;s really delve into how gamification can transform speech-language therapy into a dynamic and effective journey towards improved communication skills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-goal-of-the-game">Goal of the Game</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="791" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gaming-4206919_1280-1024x791.webp" alt="Teen boy wearing headphones intently focused on a monitor, symbolizing digital game engagement and online gamification in speech therapy." class="wp-image-392" style="width:199px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gaming-4206919_1280-1024x791.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gaming-4206919_1280-300x232.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gaming-4206919_1280-768x593.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gaming-4206919_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Digital games and online activities can be a powerful tool to maintain student motivation and enthusiasm throughout therapy sessions.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Before diving into gamification strategies, it&#8217;s crucial to establish the goal of the game in the therapy session.&nbsp; Are we wanting to use the games to simply keep the student(s) motivated and engaged during the session, as a reward at the end of the session, or to help them take responsibility for their learning by tracking their correct vs their incorrect answers?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motivation-and-engagement">Motivation and Engagement</h3>



<p>For many of our kids, the games are simply a way to keep them motivated and engaged.  These may be a range of various board games or free online games like four-in-a-row or snakes and ladders.  These can be found at various websites such as&nbsp;<a href="http://calculators.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calculators.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coolmathgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coolmathgames.com</a>.  <a href="http://abcya.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abcya.com</a> is a favorite for younger games like making a cookie (following directions or using adjectives) or saving chicks (following/using positional words). </p>



<p>There are some modestly priced subscription sites as well, such as <a href="http://pinkcatgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pinkcatgames.com</a>, or <a href="http://ultimateslp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ultimateslp.com</a>. These are nice because the speech and language stimulus materials are integrated with the games.  You can make your own Jeopardy style game on <a href="https://www.baamboozle.com/games" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bamboozle</a> for just about any subject (check out <a href="https://www.baamboozle.com/profile/1865283">my growing collection</a>), or use one of the many pre-made ones.  <a href="https://www.educaplay.com/premium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Educaplay</a> also has many styles of games under the free tier that you can make or search for.  <a href="https://genially.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genially</a> is another platform that has many free game and lesson templates and is FERPA compliant.  Even simple push-button buzzers that kids can use when they know the answer makes question and answer activities more &#8220;gamey&#8221;.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-monitoring-or-effort">Self-monitoring or effort</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/advertisement-4810867_1280-1024x682.webp" alt="Red digital scoreboard displaying &quot;0:3&quot; and &quot;00:51,&quot; used for tracking scores or time in gamified therapy activities." class="wp-image-346" style="width:301px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/advertisement-4810867_1280-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/advertisement-4810867_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/advertisement-4810867_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/advertisement-4810867_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Utilize digital scoreboards to enhance self-monitoring and engagement during gamified therapy sessions.</figcaption></figure>



<p>However, some students do really well with a bit more of a &#8220;push&#8221; in which they are given both positive and negative points (or teacher gets points).&nbsp; Jeopardy-style,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.online-stopwatch.com/counter-tally-clickers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tally score</a>, or&nbsp;<a href="https://keepthescore.com/board/zrkndwlhyyyye/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scoreboards</a>&nbsp;might be best for these students.&nbsp; These work amazingly for those kids who are working on self-monitoring skills, or who are not giving thoughtful answers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-benefits">Additional Benefits</h2>



<p>The beauty of gamification lies in its versatility. You can create a custom folder game based on student interests, if you are working in-person, or you can find free games online easily.&nbsp; Open-ended games such as snakes and ladders can be used with mixed groups and create friendly competition.</p>



<p>Gamification can also promote collaboration and healthy competition among students. Group activities such as word games, role-playing scenarios, or collaborative storytelling encourage peer interaction and communication exchanges. Additionally, friendly competitions, whether in the form of timed challenges or team-based quizzes, inject an element of excitement and camaraderie into therapy sessions, and great opportunities for practice of social skills.</p>



<p>Gamification holds immense potential to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and effective.</p>



<p>Happy playing!</p>



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<div style="color:#db820e;font-style:normal;font-weight:300" class="taxonomy-post_tag has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-e81afc2be6272024545412bcb750c79c wp-block-post-terms has-text-color"><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/classroom/" rel="tag">Classroom</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/gamification/" rel="tag">Gamification</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/mixed-groups/" rel="tag">Mixed Groups</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/motivation/" rel="tag">Motivation</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/social-skills/" rel="tag">Social Skills</a></div>


<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/gamification-speech-therapy/">Elevating Speech-Language Therapy Through Gamification: A Playful Path to Progress</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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		<title>Why, and How, I Started Using Short Stories in Therapy</title>
		<link>https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-in-therapy/</link>
					<comments>https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-in-therapy/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Literacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reading Strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auditory Processing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Context Clues]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Middle School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mixed Groups]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Struggling to transfer skills from therapy to the classroom? Ditch the drill! Learn how to use books and short stories to teach language skills in a fun, meaningful, and contextual way. What's the biggest challenge you've faced with a drill-based approach?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-in-therapy/">Why, and How, I Started Using Short Stories in Therapy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-books-in-therapy">Books in Therapy?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="854" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dog-6186679_1280-854x1024.webp" alt=" A wolf with light fur, looking directly at the viewer with a skeptical or disapproving expression." class="wp-image-380" style="width:256px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dog-6186679_1280-854x1024.webp 854w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dog-6186679_1280-250x300.webp 250w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dog-6186679_1280-768x921.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dog-6186679_1280.webp 1067w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 854px) 100vw, 854px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The initial skepticism about integrating books into therapy sessions.</figcaption></figure>



<p>So a few years ago I started hearing raves in continuing education about how many targets you could reach from reading a picture book or short story in speech therapy.&nbsp; And I thought, &#8220;yeah, but you&#8217;d only&nbsp; maybe get one or two practices out of each book for most of those language goals.&nbsp; Drilling is far superior.&#8221;&nbsp; Plus&#8230;it would take a whole session to read a book.&nbsp; You wouldn&#8217;t have time for anything else.</p>



<p>I kept on with my drilling.&nbsp; And my students made progress on their little goal chart.&nbsp; Good progress.&nbsp; And sure, sometimes teachers would say, &#8220;but they can&#8217;t do it in my room,&#8221; And I&#8217;d say, &#8220;well, that&#8217;s because I&#8217;m working on a discrete skill, to make sure they have the ability.&nbsp; Now we have to broaden it to a longer text.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-literacy-units-language-in-context">Literacy Units &#8211; Language in Context</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="598" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/to-learn-2001940_1280-1024x598.webp" alt="A smiling girl sitting at a laptop, with several empty thought bubbles floating above her head." class="wp-image-475" style="width:397px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/to-learn-2001940_1280-1024x598.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/to-learn-2001940_1280-300x175.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/to-learn-2001940_1280-768x449.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/to-learn-2001940_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Visualizing the possibilities for language and thought processing in teletherapy.</figcaption></figure>



<p>But I started hearing more and more about using literature as an SLP.&nbsp; I started taking these continuing ed classes that were talking about using a picture book as the anchor for a month of therapy. And it was like there was an actual lightbulb in my head.&nbsp; &#8220;You mean we can use the SAME book for a whole MONTH?!!&#8221;&nbsp; Now THAT, that seemed workable.&nbsp; In fact, that seemed downright awesome.</p>



<p>Because &#8211; context. While my drills were great, and they reinforced the skill, they were like practicing a sound in isolation, and would only take a student so far.&nbsp; And honestly&#8230;sooooo boring. So going over a fun picture book for a month, that sounded like just the thing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pick-the-just-right-story">Pick the &#8220;Just Right&#8221; Story</h2>



<p>But I was in a middle school setting now.&nbsp; And sure, there are picture books that are higher language that would fit the bill for middle school. But it was October.&nbsp; And now your head is probably going straight where mine went.&nbsp; How could I not introduce my middle schoolers to &#8220;The Tell-Tale Heart&#8221;? (OK, it was a draw between that and &#8220;Ichabod Crane&#8221; but they rolled their eyes and said they read that every Halloween).</p>



<p>Well, first, let me tell you: success hinges on finding the &#8220;just right&#8221; version.&nbsp; The middle-schoolers who you see for language are probably not going to do well with the original version of the story.&nbsp; But you don&#8217;t want a version too watered down either, or you lose so much of the lovely language-teaching opportunities.&nbsp; Another key: <i>do not have the students read the first time.</i>&nbsp; It seems like a good idea, but if you are reading for meaning, you want an advanced reader who has read the story at least once to read it aloud for the group.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decide-the-order-of-teaching">Decide the Order of Teaching</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="724" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/option-112225_1280-1024x724.webp" alt="A cluttered pile of white paper slips, each with the word &quot;OPTION&quot; printed on it in various colors and fonts." class="wp-image-426" style="width:365px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/option-112225_1280-1024x724.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/option-112225_1280-300x212.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/option-112225_1280-768x543.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/option-112225_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deciding on the best approach for teaching short stories in therapy.</figcaption></figure>



<p>And then&#8230;do you pre-teach every vocabulary word and turn of phrase, or do you do a read-through first, then go back over it?&nbsp; Or, maybe watch a video that had most of the text first, that gives meaning to words they don&#8217;t know?&nbsp; I did a little of everything that first time, each group a little different.&nbsp; I think it was best when I gave a little minilesson first, then we watched the video, which I would pause every so often to allow them to predict or make sure they knew the big picture of what was happening.&nbsp; Then we went back, closely, over the text.&nbsp; This may differ depending on the text you read, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-language-skills-galore">Language Skills Galore!</h2>



<p>I didn&#8217;t spend a month on &#8220;The Tell-Tale Heart.&#8221;&nbsp; We spent two, maybe three 30 minute sessions.&nbsp; Partially because I still have a hard time reconciling my old drill mindset.&nbsp; But I also only have two in my groups (don&#8217;t hate me &#8211; it&#8217;s a rule for teletherapy where I am).&nbsp; I also was winging it in large part.&nbsp; If I had been thoroughly prepared, I would have had more and better questions.&nbsp; </p>



<p>I&#8217;m writing my questions down and keeping documents so next year, I will be better prepared.&nbsp; If you are interested, you can find my completed guides in my TPT store, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mrs. Speech</a>.&nbsp; They contain questions addressing context clues, figurative language, sentence writing, predictions, inferences, story craft, story arcs, prefixes and suffixes and other language and literacy skills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appreciation-of-literature">Appreciation of Literature</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="754" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/child-8560775_1280-1024x754.webp" alt="A young boy with glasses sitting thoughtfully on a stack of books, reading a book, surrounded by floating planets and books in a whimsical, starry environment." class="wp-image-366" style="width:297px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/child-8560775_1280-1024x754.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/child-8560775_1280-300x221.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/child-8560775_1280-768x565.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/child-8560775_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The transformative power of engaging students with literature.</figcaption></figure>



<p>But the engagement of the kids!!&nbsp; They LOVED it!&nbsp; So much that I went out and hunted down short stories in a number of genres, based on what they requested, and found so many lovely stories!&nbsp; </p>



<p>They are requesting stories now &#8211; and they remember exactly where we were in the story from one week to the next.&nbsp; They ask for more from the same author (yes, they are asking for stories).&nbsp; And most of these stories I am using are at least 50 years old, some, like Poe, are in public domain.</p>



<p>And I love that I am fostering a love for literature.&nbsp; Even though when I ask, they say they wouldn&#8217;t read the longer version, LOL, they still are listening and responding to these stories with enthusiasm and asking for more.&nbsp; Which is far more than my drill cards ever got!</p>



<p>Want to see what stories I&#8217;ve been using in my therapy sessions?&nbsp; Find my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Speech-Therapy-Spark-Engaging-Middle-School-Short-Stories-Categorized-by-Genre-11644006" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FREE list on TPT</a>!</p>



<p>Check out more on short stories in therapy with my other articles:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-multi-goal-speech-therapy/">Activity Magic: Short Stories for Multi-Goal Mastery in Speech Therapy</a></li>



<li><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-middle-school-speech-therapy/">Unlock Student Engagement: The Magic of Short Stories in Middle School Speech Therapy</a></li>



<li><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/free-online-literacy-resources/">Level Up Literacy Teletherapy: Unleash FREE Online Resources to Captivate Students!</a></li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subscribe-below-for-a-free-bookmark-to-help-students-generalize-articulation-while-reading">Subscribe below for a FREE bookmark to help students generalize articulation while reading!</h3>


  
  
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<div style="color:#db820e;font-style:normal;font-weight:300" class="taxonomy-post_tag has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-e81afc2be6272024545412bcb750c79c wp-block-post-terms has-text-color"><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/auditory-processing/" rel="tag">Auditory Processing</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/context-clues/" rel="tag">Context Clues</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/inferencing/" rel="tag">Inferencing</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/middle-school/" rel="tag">Middle School</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/mixed-groups/" rel="tag">Mixed Groups</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/narratives/" rel="tag">Narratives</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/tpt/" rel="tag">TPT</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/vocabulary/" rel="tag">Vocabulary</a></div><p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/short-stories-in-therapy/">Why, and How, I Started Using Short Stories in Therapy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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		<title>YouTube in Therapy: Engaging Older Students with Smart Strategies</title>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>YouTube isn't just for younger kids! This guide shares surprising ways to use videos to boost motivation, provide teaching support, and tackle social skills with your tech-savvy students. What's one surprising way you've used tech in a session?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/youtube-therapy-older-students/">YouTube in Therapy: Engaging Older Students with Smart Strategies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Last time I shared with you some of my ideas for using YouTube with my younger kiddos.&nbsp; Today I&#8217;m excited to share my tips for those older, tech-savvy kids.&nbsp; Now, these older kids literally live on the screen, so they can pretty much outrun all of us as far as technology, right?!&nbsp; But here are some surprising ways they (and maybe even you) may not have thought to use YouTube in therapy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motivators">Motivators</h3>



<p>Just like our younger clients, older students love a good reward at the end of a challenging session. The beauty? They&#8217;re experts at navigating YouTube, so they can easily cue up their favorite vids. But wait, there&#8217;s more! I love introducing them to some lesser-known gems that pack a powerful punch:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-thinking-and-how-the-mind-learns-new-things">Flexible thinking and how the mind learns new things:</h4>



<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzDaBzBlL0&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Backwards bicycle</a>:  this was mind-blowing to watch!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-mistakes-are-okay-and-help-you-learn">How mistakes are okay and help you learn:</h4>



<p><a href="https://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w?si=HffQaicDAbS1D_vX" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OK Go Rube Goldberg Machine </a>(I talk about how you can see the evidence of how many previous tries &#8211; 85 to be exact &#8211; they had to get it right, but how awesome it was when they got it right.  BTW, the song itself has a great message of how bad things are only temporary.) It&#8217;s also useful to see the <a href="https://youtu.be/uarlIjkHlAs?si=3SxpboRzaJHOeNL5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TEDTalk on how it was engineered</a>. (Caution, the TEDTalk has one minor cuss word and the band is having a drink of champagne at the end.)  If you don&#8217;t know what a Rube Goldberg machine is, it is a YouTube rabbit hole.  I warned you.</p>



<p><a href="https://youtu.be/SIxJkiD_kXI?si=_L-CN3y-iGSyvNdt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Power of a Stutter</a></p>



<p>A TedTalk on how accepting your insecurities and even embracing them allows us to become better communicators.&nbsp; How it frees us from worrying about hiding them to think about how we can speak to and help others. (BTW, she has a very noticeable stutter so this is an excellent video for your fluency students.)</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teaching-support">Teaching Support</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-sounds">How to make sounds</h4>



<p>I&#8217;m probably not alone when I say that I turn to these when I have a kid I just can&#8217;t get to make the sound, especially now that I am wholly teletherapy.&nbsp; My camera just isn&#8217;t as professional as what I can find on YouTube.&nbsp; The two best sources for sound instruction I&#8217;ve found are&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/tq6SGbfaffc?si=o65aE3n2DrK2uDUr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharon Turner</a>, who has a animated video model of the tongue inside the mouth for each sound, and<a href="https://youtu.be/5F-qKn_x59I?si=RI0KTXeYjtXmO5NM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Peachie Speechie</a>, who has great teaching videos for each sound.&nbsp; But there are many, many options to choose from.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-read-alouds">Read-Alouds</h4>



<p>I&#8217;m using short stories in most of my older groups.  When we first read a story, I want it to be a dramatic, cohesive reading, so I actually don&#8217;t want the students to read it.  I want them to listen and be drawn into the story.   But you know, a day of that and my voice gets tired.  Cue YouTube read-alouds!  You can find an audiobook of most popular short stories on YouTube pretty easily.  And bonus &#8211; most you can turn on <strong>Closed Captioning</strong> so students can read-along if you don&#8217;t have a text that matches well.  And the students actually love being read to.  If I have a student who needs to read for a goal, then I can stop and have them read a paragraph or so, then return to the read aloud.  I have playlists of some of my favorites at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@Mrs.Speech-wk4mr">http://www.youtube.com/@Mrs.Speech-wk4mr</a>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-background-knowledge">Background Knowledge</h4>



<p>To go along with the read-alouds, a well-made video to give background knowledge is worth so much more than me droning on about what life in a lighthouse is like.&nbsp; You know what they say, &#8220;A picture is worth a thousand words.&#8221;&nbsp; Well, a video must be worth a million, right?!&nbsp; And they are so much more willing to watch a video than listen to me (and let&#8217;s be honest, it gives my voice a break).</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movies">Movies</h4>



<p>And if at all possible, I like to find at least a clip of a movie or animation to go with the story.&nbsp; It provides so many opportunities for language-rich discussion, with opinions (Which did you like better, and why?) comparing and contrasting, and inferencing (Why do you think the director made this change?).</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-skills">Social Skills</h4>



<p>There are SOOOO many social skills videos out there.&nbsp; Some of them are tailored toward our autistic population, some are more for introverted young adults, and some are for the ESL population.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t just stick to the videos that tell how-to do something.&nbsp; Sometimes the awkward videos offer great teaching moments too.&nbsp; This one is one of my&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/-fM3Or6h79w?si=IVqv4s0Wc6b8ALMG" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">favorites</a>.&nbsp; While I do touch on what he does wrong, I mainly use it to talk about other people&#8217;s responses, and how they are generally kind about it and make an effort to not make him feel bad even though everyone feels awkward.&nbsp; People are typically kind, so you might as well go out there and try.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pro-tips">Pro Tips </h3>



<p>Now, I mentioned in Read-Alouds to turn on the<strong>&nbsp;Closed Captioning</strong>&nbsp;if you don&#8217;t have a text that matches the reading.&nbsp; It might be useful to do so with the other videos as well, to make the&nbsp;<em>speech/text connection</em>&nbsp;and fill in any missing gaps in the auditory information.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>I also suggest you turn the&nbsp;<strong>speed to 75%</strong>.&nbsp; This is usually not noticeable to the kids, but it allows them more time to&nbsp;<em>process</em>&nbsp;what is being said so they get a better understanding of the information.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>I have more tips in my previous post:  <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/youtube-tips-for-therapy">Unlocking Language Learning with YouTube: A Speech Therapist&#8217;s Guide</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-update-12-24">Update 12/24</h3>



<p>I recently found the free internet browser Brave and have been using it the past couple of weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was simple to move my Google bookmarks into Brave, and I am using it solely for use with the kids, so it streamlines my therapy sessions too.&nbsp; I haven&#8217;t had a single youtube ad, and I haven&#8217;t noticed other ads popping up on websites.&nbsp;&nbsp;I will say that, while it does block the ad on a website, there is often still the space where the ad would be.&nbsp; Often, a reader extension like ReadBee will remove those spaces and focus on the text.</p>



<p>So, there you have it, folks! These are just a few ways to leverage the power of YouTube in therapy sessions with older students. But hey, the possibilities are endless! Got some killer ideas of your own? Drop &#8217;em in the comments below!</p>



<p>Until next time, my e-speechies &#8211; keep on clickin&#8217;!</p>



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<div style="color:#db820e;font-style:normal;font-weight:300" class="taxonomy-post_tag has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-e81afc2be6272024545412bcb750c79c wp-block-post-terms has-text-color"><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/auditory-processing/" rel="tag">Auditory Processing</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/background-knowledge/" rel="tag">Background Knowledge</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/inferencing/" rel="tag">Inferencing</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/opinions/" rel="tag">Opinions</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/sel/" rel="tag">SEL</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/social-skills/" rel="tag">Social Skills</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/technology/" rel="tag">Technology</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/teletherapy/" rel="tag">Teletherapy</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a><span class="wp-block-post-terms__separator">, </span><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tag/youtube/" rel="tag">YouTube</a></div><p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/youtube-therapy-older-students/">YouTube in Therapy: Engaging Older Students with Smart Strategies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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		<title>Pinterest in Therapy, No Way!</title>
		<link>https://mrsspeechonline.com/pinterest-in-therapy/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mixed Groups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Open-Ended]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Picture Prompts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pinterest]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Struggling to find fresh materials? Pinterest is a treasure trove of stimuli for speech and language goals! Learn my tech tips for using it in sessions. What's the biggest challenge you have with finding materials?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/pinterest-in-therapy/">Pinterest in Therapy, No Way!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Hey there, fellow e-speechies and Pinterest addicts! Today, I&#8217;m spilling the beans on how I&#8217;ve turned Pinterest into my secret weapon in speech and language therapy sessions. Yes, you heard it right – Pinterest in therapy, who would&#8217;ve thought?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ways-to-use-pinterest-pictures">Ways to Use Pinterest Pictures</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/venice-2695247_1280-1024x682.webp" alt="Lorenzo Quinn's &quot;Support&quot; sculpture in Venice, featuring two monumental white hands emerging from the Grand Canal and reaching towards a building." class="wp-image-342" style="width:301px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/venice-2695247_1280-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/venice-2695247_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/venice-2695247_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/venice-2695247_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">&#8220;Support&#8221; sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn in Venice, as an example of using Pinterest for discussion prompts.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Now, we all know the drill with Pinterest – it&#8217;s the go-to hub for all things DIY, recipes, and yes, even therapy ideas! But let me tell you how I&#8217;ve been using it to spice up my therapy sessions. </p>



<p>Picture this: I&#8217;ve got boards filled to the brim with stimuli. They cover everything from articulation practice to critical thinking and social skills. We could get into a 10 minute discussion on whether it is photoshopped or real on some of these. Or discuss what makes it interesting, or brainstorm what you would do if you were walking around and saw it in person. </p>



<p>So MANY speech and language goals can be addressed with these open-ended materials. They are so much more fun than reading a card or doing a worksheet. Your kids may not even realize they are &#8220;working.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="909" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/house-3182678_1280-909x1024.webp" alt="A whimsical image of a snail with a charming yellow and white house on its back, complete with blue shutters and a red door, moving slowly on an asphalt surface." class="wp-image-411" style="width:259px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/house-3182678_1280-909x1024.webp 909w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/house-3182678_1280-266x300.webp 266w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/house-3182678_1280-768x865.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/house-3182678_1280.webp 1136w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A snail carrying a tiny house, serving as prime example of a creative therapy prompt from Pinterest.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Seriously, my&nbsp;<a href="https://pin.it/4CLvVhFOO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Picture Prompts boards</a>&nbsp;are like a treasure trove for your therapy sessions. Once you get used to using them, and the types of questioning you can use, you will find yourself using them more and more. For now, I have them separated into just a younger board and an older board. However, I have so many pins, I am going to have to separate them further.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You guys have to come take a peek! Just make sure you set a timer because you will seriously get sucked into the rabbit hole &#8211; LOL!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multiple-meaning-words">Multiple Meaning Words</h2>



<p>One thing my kids LOVE is when I open up the&nbsp;<a href="https://pin.it/33UJvHqal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visual Puns board</a>. It&#8217;s a great way to work on multiple meanings and figurative or non-literal language. Not to mention the sheer fun of figuring out what makes each pun tick. The engagement and comprehension seems to skyrocket when I address language goals this way. And the best part &#8211; it&#8217;s so effortless it seems like a free day for both me and my students!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tech-tips">Tech Tips</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453-1024x694.webp" alt="A screenshot of a Pinterest board named &quot;Younger...&quot; highlighting a slider button with a red circle, demonstrating how to change the board view." class="wp-image-336" style="width:394px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453-1024x694.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453-300x203.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453-768x521.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453-1320x895.webp 1320w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-02-19-145453.webp 1409w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This screenshot shows the location of the slider button to switch Pinterest views between &#8220;Default&#8221; and &#8220;Compact&#8221;, for focusing on individual images during teletherapy. ©2024 Jennifer Tillock, Mrs. Speech LLC</figcaption></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s the kicker – using Pinterest in therapy takes a bit of tweaking. But once you get the hang of it, it is smooth sailing, I promise. First, make sure your view options are set for Default, not Compact. You can choose this by using the little slider button in the top left of your board, as you can see in this screenshot.</p>



<p>I like to zoom in until only one or two images are visible. This makes those images pop and limits what my kiddos are focusing on. Ctrl and + on Windows, Cmd and + on Mac – you get the drift. Most browsers also have their own zoom controls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-pinterest-for-your-speech-sessions">Why Pinterest for Your Speech Sessions?</h2>



<p>Now, why go through all this trouble instead of just hitting that good ol&#8217; Save button? Well, for starters, it saves me from diving into the murky waters of copyright laws. Ain&#8217;t nobody got time for that! Plus, who wants to spend hours copy, pasting, and formatting when Pinterest does the heavy lifting for you?</p>



<p>And as we all know, adding to our boards is as easy as pie. I&#8217;m constantly stumbling upon gems while tumbling down the internet rabbit hole. With a click here and a pin there, <a href="https://pin.it/7HUlBs1RC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my collection</a> keeps growing faster than I can say &#8220;therapy time.&#8221; So much easier than trying to add to a document or slideshow or however else you try to organize saved images.</p>



<p>So, there you have it – Pinterest in speech-language therapy. Who knew? But hey, when it works like magic, who am I to argue? </p>



<p>Happy pinning, my fellow e-speechies!</p>



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<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/pinterest-in-therapy/">Pinterest in Therapy, No Way!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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		<title>Why I had a joke board (And you should too)</title>
		<link>https://mrsspeechonline.com/joke-board-in-school/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Language]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Classroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Memory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Schools]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>A joke board? It's not just for laughs! Learn how a simple whiteboard with a daily joke can build rapport, teach language skills, and make you a school-wide rockstar. What's your go-to joke to share with students?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/joke-board-in-school/">Why I had a joke board (And you should too)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h5 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left" id="h-my-grandfather-had-the-heart-of-a-lion-the-eye-of-an-eagle-and-a-lifetime-ban-from-the-zoo"><em><span style="font-family: Mali;">&#8220;My grandfather had the heart of a lion, the eye of an eagle&#8230;and a lifetime ban from the zoo.&#8221;</span></em></h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/whiteboard-2903269_1280-1024x682.webp" alt="A blank white dry-erase board with a silver frame, with two dry-erase markers (one green, one purple) resting in the top right corner." class="wp-image-482" style="width:370px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/whiteboard-2903269_1280-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/whiteboard-2903269_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/whiteboard-2903269_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/whiteboard-2903269_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This blank whiteboard symbolizes the potential for shared humor and connection through a &#8220;joke board,&#8221; a simple yet effective tool for engaging students and building community.</figcaption></figure>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">I put this on my board one school day. See, for the last 5 or so years, I&#8217;d had a poster-size white erase board in the hallway of my school. It was beside the entrance to the cafeteria. Therefore, every student would have a chance to see it during the day. I then sit in my room and listen to the conversations in the hallway. The children, I think, would have voted this joke as the best one that year.</span></p>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">But my board had a purpose beyond the amusement of everyone in the school. Not only did it lighten the mood and start the day with fun, every child in that school knew who I was. I wasn&#8217;t just an unknown adult that pulled kids out of classes. I raised the bar for vocabulary for the entire school. It gave everyone a common thing to talk about, and (let&#8217;s be honest) identified students that likely would need my services at one time or another.</span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-therapeutic-value-of-humor"><span style="font-family: Mali;">The Therapeutic Value of Humor</span></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/woman-7529904_1280-1024x682.webp" alt="A cartoon illustration of a serene person meditating on a yoga mat, surrounded by thought bubbles containing icons representing various health and well-being benefits like a clock with a checkmark, dumbbells, a battery, a heart with an EKG, a simple heart, and a briefcase." class="wp-image-488" style="width:246px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/woman-7529904_1280-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/woman-7529904_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/woman-7529904_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/woman-7529904_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This image visually represents the holistic benefits of positive practices, mirroring how humor can boost mental, emotional, and physical well-being, fostering a happier environment.</figcaption></figure>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Most of us feel better after a good laugh, and it&#8217;s not all in your head. Laughter increases those feel good chemicals in your brain. It boosts the immune system and relieves stress.&nbsp; It gives us a social connection and helps shift perspectives into a lighter side of life. It even improves circulation and gives your tummy a bit of a workout. I have no doubt it created a happier, more connected school environment than there otherwise would have been.</span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academic-benefits-of-humor"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Academic Benefits of Humor</span></h3>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Most of us have thought about how jokes can address multiple speech and language skills. To understand humor, students have to understand nuances, multiple meanings, and wordplay. Often jokes rely on figurative language. They involve cognitive processes like inference, prediction, and abstract thinking.&nbsp;</span></p>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Jokes help students practice social skills such as turn-taking, perspective taking, and understanding social cues. They build rapport. When telling a joke, students are practicing fluency skills like pacing and intonation, as well as articulation skills. Students are encouraged to commit the joke to memory so they can retell it. This helps them work on memory skills as well.</span></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-rapport-and-engagement"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Building Rapport and Engagement:</span></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="794" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/silhouettes-1186990_1280-1024x794.webp" alt="A circle of diverse, brightly colored human stick figures holding hands, symbolizing unity, connection, and community." class="wp-image-460" style="width:295px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/silhouettes-1186990_1280-1024x794.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/silhouettes-1186990_1280-300x233.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/silhouettes-1186990_1280-768x595.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/silhouettes-1186990_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This image beautifully illustrates the strong connections and sense of community fostered through positive interactions, like those encouraged by a joke board, enhancing rapport and engagement in a school environment.</figcaption></figure>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Humor builds a bridge between students and teachers. It makes school a more light-hearted place.&nbsp; Having a joke to share gives shy or anxious children a low-pressure way to engage in conversation.&nbsp; The kids would tell the jokes to each other, and talk about whether it was funny or not. They discussed what made it a joke. I often</span> <span style="font-family: Mali;">heard teachers using the jokes as a teaching opportunity in the hallways.</span></p>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">As I talked with others about why I had the joke board, it raised awareness with teachers. They realized that what I did with students inside my little room wasn&#8217;t just working on /r/ and /s/. When I called it my &#8220;school-wide intervention,&#8221; it highlighted how essential speech and language skills are for daily communication.&nbsp; Students in the school knew who I was, and saw me as a positive person in the school.&nbsp; I had teachers and students alike bringing me jokes.</span></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-challenges-and-limitations"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Addressing Challenges and Limitations:</span></h2>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">So, what is the problem with using humor? I did have to be careful that the jokes were school appropriate, of course. No jokes about &#8220;two guys walk into a bar.&#8221; They had to be age-appropriate as well, so I skipped over a lot of jokes. Some of these the students at my school might not have the context or vocabulary for. And some kids just didn&#8217;t get the jokes (and they were usually on my list for MTSS interventions).</span></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-819x1024.png" alt="A black and white illustration on a white background showing two cartoon wolves laughing heartily, with the title " class="wp-image-451" style="width:210px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-819x1024.png 819w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-240x300.png 240w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-768x960.png 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-1228x1536.png 1228w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover-1320x1650.png 1320w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its_So_Punny_TPT_Cover.png 1350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This is the cover for the &#8220;It&#8217;s So Punny!&#8221; product, a resource of over 50 pages of school-appropriate jokes designed to address the challenge of finding suitable humor for a classroom joke board. ©2024 Mrs. Speech LLC</figcaption></figure>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Finding enough jokes for the entire year was a bit difficult the first year. I then had to keep track of them somehow. Now I have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-So-Punny-11206874" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It&#8217;s So Punny</a>, a document that is over 50 pages long, full of jokes appropriate for school, which you can find in my TPT store.</span></p>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">The board itself was an issue at some points through every school year.&nbsp; There is always that one student who finds it entertaining to erase it with their fingers. I would switch from dry erase to wet erase to whiteboard crayons throughout the year. Having a transparent cover might have helped that problem. I had to get permission to hang the whiteboard on the wall (I used removable adhesive strips).</span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-thumbs-up">Two Thumbs Up</h3>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">In conclusion, though, I would highly recommend a joke board in your school or classroom. There are so many reasons to incorporate humor in the school day. The conversations I heard outside of my room were often the best part of the day. Hearing the students comment as they walked by was truly enjoyable.&nbsp;</span></p>



<p>If you&#8217;d like to hear more about what skills a simple joke can address, see my article <strong><a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/humor-benefits-zero-prep-speech-therapy-tool/">Why Jokes Are the Best Zero-Prep Language Tool You&#8217;re Not Using</a>.</strong></p>



<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Keep that funny bone tickled,</span></p>



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		<title>Picture Perfect: Using Pictures in Speech Therapy</title>
		<link>https://mrsspeechonline.com/using-pictures-in-speech-therapy/</link>
					<comments>https://mrsspeechonline.com/using-pictures-in-speech-therapy/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Therapy Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Child Development]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Pictures are powerful tools in speech therapy! Learn how they can be used as building blocks for a variety of goals, from vocabulary and grammar to social skills. What’s one creative way you’ve used pictures in a session?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/using-pictures-in-speech-therapy/">Picture Perfect: Using Pictures in Speech Therapy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Pictures are powerful tools in the realm of speech-language therapy. They provide a concrete foundation for building language skills, enhancing engagement, and making therapy sessions more enjoyable. Let’s explore creative and effective ways to incorporate pictures into your speech therapy practice.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-blocks-of-language">Building Blocks of Language</h3>



<p>Pictures can serve as the building blocks for a myriad of language goals. Here are some ideas:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/book-4624890_1280-682x1024.webp" alt="Photograph of an adult and an infant sitting together, with the infant actively engaged and touching colorful images in a baby book, symbolizing early language development through pictures." class="wp-image-498" style="width:175px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/book-4624890_1280-682x1024.webp 682w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/book-4624890_1280-200x300.webp 200w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/book-4624890_1280-768x1152.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/book-4624890_1280.webp 853w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pictures serve as fundamental building blocks for diverse language goals, from early vocabulary development to advanced narrative skills.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Vocabulary Development:&nbsp;</strong>Use pictures to introduce new words, reinforce meaning, and encourage expressive language.</li>



<li><strong>Grammar:</strong>&nbsp;Target specific grammatical structures through picture-based activities, such as sentence building, verb tense practice, or pronoun usage.</li>



<li><strong>Narrative Skills:</strong>&nbsp;Create engaging stories using picture sequences, prompting students to sequence events, identify characters, and predict outcomes.</li>



<li><strong>Social Skills:</strong>&nbsp;Use pictures to teach social cues, emotions, and appropriate conversational skills.</li>



<li><strong>Articulation</strong>: Target specific speech sounds by selecting pictures containing target sounds.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactive-activities-with-pictures">Interactive Activities with Pictures</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="743" height="418" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/algorithm-3859539_1280-edited-1-e1752330787289-edited.webp" alt="A vast collage of numerous small, diverse photographs forms a grid, with three identical, larger images of a man's face prominent in the center. Lines with small blue nodes extend outwards from the central faces, symbolizing how various pictures and concepts can be interconnected for speech therapy activities." class="wp-image-2261" style="width:319px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/algorithm-3859539_1280-edited-1-e1752330787289-edited.webp 743w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/algorithm-3859539_1280-edited-1-e1752330787289-edited-300x169.webp 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This interconnected photo collage represents the application of visual aids in speech therapy goals like description, sequencing, and problem-solving.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Picture Description:</strong>&nbsp;Encourage detailed and descriptive language by asking students to describe pictures in depth.</li>



<li><strong>Sequencing</strong>: Use picture cards to practice sequencing events, telling stories, or following directions.</li>



<li><strong>Categorization:&nbsp;</strong>Sort pictures into categories based on various criteria (e.g., size, shape, color, function).</li>



<li><strong>Comparisons:</strong>&nbsp;Use pairs of pictures to practice comparative language (bigger, smaller, taller, shorter).</li>



<li><strong>Problem-solving:</strong>&nbsp;Present challenging picture scenarios and ask students to come up with solutions.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-integration">Technology Integration</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Digital Picture Books:</strong>&nbsp;Explore interactive digital picture books for added engagement and accessibility.&nbsp; Your local library is a great starting point!</li>



<li><strong>Photo Booth Fun:</strong>&nbsp;Take pictures of students engaging in activities to create personalized therapy materials.</li>



<li><strong>Online Resources</strong>: Utilize websites and apps offering free or low-cost picture sets for therapy. 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Tip</strong>:  I&#8217;ve created many&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mrsspeechonline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinterest</a>&nbsp;boards filled with hundreds of picture ideas and activities to help you implement these strategies in your therapy sessions. Check it out for additional inspiration!</li>



<li>See my article: <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/pinterest-in-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinterest in Therapy, No Way!</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="672" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-1024x672.webp" alt="Screenshot of the Mrs. Speech Pinterest interface, displaying various boards filled with speech therapy activities, games, and resources for vocabulary development, grammar practice, social skills, and articulation therapy." class="wp-image-546" style="width:710px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-1024x672.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-300x197.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-768x504.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-1536x1008.webp 1536w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111-1320x866.webp 1320w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2024-08-05-083111.webp 2041w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mrs. Speech&#8217;s Pinterest boards showcase organized online resources and picture ideas for diverse speech therapy activities.</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h3>



<p>By incorporating pictures into your speech therapy sessions, you can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Remember to adapt activities to meet the specific needs of your students and celebrate their successes!&nbsp; </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="292" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/arrow-1538686_1280.webp" alt="Comments arrow" class="wp-image-102" style="width:181px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/arrow-1538686_1280.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/arrow-1538686_1280-300x86.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/arrow-1538686_1280-768x219.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Let me know your favorite picture resources in the comments below!</p>



<p>Picturing you perfect,</p>



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		<title>Tips for Parents: Fostering Language Development in Preschoolers</title>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:22:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activity Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[For Parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Child Development]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Ready to nurture a little learner? This post provides practical tips on everything from modeling healthy coping mechanisms to spotting health concerns like snoring. What's one question you have about your child's speech or language development?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com/tips-for-parents-fostering-language-development-in-preschoolers/">Tips for Parents: Fostering Language Development in Preschoolers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://mrsspeechonline.com">Mrs. Speech Online</a>.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-little-learners-tips-from-an-slp">Raising Little Learners: Tips from an SLP</h2>



<p>Hey there, fellow parents and educators! As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I get to witness the incredible journey of language development in young children every day. It&#8217;s truly amazing to see how these little minds grow and learn! In this post, I want to share some tips on nurturing language growth that can help you support this wonderful process.</p>



<p>Here are a few tips to nurture those curious minds and support your child&#8217;s language development:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fuel-their-curiosity-nbsp">Fuel Their Curiosity:&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280-1024x1024.webp" alt="Cartoon illustration of an adult holding an umbrella over a child in the rain, with the child pointing excitedly, symbolizing shared exploration and curiosity." class="wp-image-626" style="width:193px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280-300x300.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280-150x150.webp 150w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280-768x768.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-5709418_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Following their curiosity and sharing experiences, even in simple moments like a rainy day adventure, can fuel a child&#8217;s learning and strengthen your bond.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Children are born explorers! Follow their interests. If they&#8217;re fascinated by bugs, head to the park with a magnifying glass. If they love trains, visit the train station and talk about the sounds and the different types of trains. This not only sparks their curiosity but also strengthens your bond, expands their vocabulary, and broadens their world knowledge. </p>



<p>Consider including them in your own interests (at an age-appropriate level) to show them that conversation and relationships are built on shared experiences and mutual understanding.  This is a vital step in promoting communication skills</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connect-through-conversation">Connect Through Conversation:</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280-1024x1024.webp" alt="Illustration of a boy sitting on the floor, clearly upset, with his head down and arms on his knees." class="wp-image-598" style="width:249px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280-300x300.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280-150x150.webp 150w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280-768x768.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cry-4250450_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This illustration of an upset boy highlights why talking about feelings, their causes, and reactions is crucial for children&#8217;s emotional and language development.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Give them your full attention:</strong> Put down your phone and truly listen to what they have to say. Make eye contact and show genuine interest. This teaches them that their thoughts and feelings are important. They will remember this when they are older, even if it is subconscious. ?</li>



<li><strong>Answer their questions honestly:</strong> It&#8217;s okay to say &#8220;I don&#8217;t know!&#8221; This teaches them that learning is a lifelong process. Then, you can hypothesize together and look it up, again teaching them how to make “smart guesses” as well as how to find out information.</li>



<li><strong>Talk about feelings:</strong> Help them understand and label their emotions. Acknowledge their feelings, even if they seem small to you. For example, &#8220;I see you&#8217;re feeling frustrated because you can&#8217;t build the tower.&#8221; One phrase I use a lot is “It’s okay to be angry, but it’s not okay to hit.”</li>



<li>This requires you to <strong>dig deep</strong> to find the true feeling or reason behind your feeling. So often, we only recognize anger, but in reality it is fear. You aren’t angry because your child didn’t put on their shoes, you are worried that you will be late and the doctor will have to wait on you. And you aren’t angry that your child ran in front of you, but you are scared because your child could have been hurt.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-model-healthy-coping-mechanisms-nbsp">Model Healthy Coping Mechanisms:&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Children learn by observing. Show them how you cope with stress and frustration. It&#8217;s okay to say, &#8220;I&#8217;m feeling overwhelmed right now. I&#8217;m going to take a few deep breaths and come back to this later.&#8221;  Model and cultivate those crucial verbal skills!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurture-language-development">Nurture Language Development:</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-6680895_1280-1024x682.webp" alt="Photo of a smiling mother on the floor raising a laughing child up with her feet, symbolizing playful interaction for language development." class="wp-image-628" style="width:230px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-6680895_1280-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-6680895_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-6680895_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mother-6680895_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Turning everyday play into learning opportunities, like this joyful interaction, helps nurture language development and literacy skills.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Play word games: </strong>Turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. Play rhyming games in the car, make up silly stories, have an opposite day, categorize items, or play I Spy. I like to play a version of Hedbanz, where the objective is for the other person to guess with as few clues as possible, and the points go to the describer!</li>



<li><strong>Focus on sounds:</strong> Talk about the sounds in words. For example, &#8220;Listen to how the &#8216;s&#8217; sound hisses in &#8216;snake&#8217;.&#8221; Talk about how your mouth makes sounds, like “you stick your tongue between your teeth for ‘th’, but it is behind your teeth for ‘s’.” This provides a tactile layer to phonological awareness by helping children connect the sounds they hear with the movements of their mouths. Not only that, it also helps to build a strong foundation for clear speech production, which may support their speech development and potentially reduce the need for future speech therapy.</li>



<li><strong>Explore the world of print:</strong> Point out letters and words everywhere you go – on signs, in books, on food packaging. Talk about the logos of brands your child recognizes, and why the logo fits the brand. For example, “why does McDonald’s have a giant ‘M’ as their sign?”</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-reading-fun">Make Reading Fun:</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="962" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/read-7203280_1280-1024x962.webp" alt="Photo of a smiling father reading a book to a child, both looking happy, symbolizing enjoyable shared reading time." class="wp-image-637" style="width:195px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/read-7203280_1280-1024x962.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/read-7203280_1280-300x282.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/read-7203280_1280-768x722.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/read-7203280_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Making reading fun through shared moments like this helps build comprehension, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for books.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Read together: </strong>Even 15 minutes a day can make a significant difference. Use funny voices, point to the words, and talk about the pictures. Make guesses about word meaning, infer character feelings and motivation, predict what might happen next, and connect the story to your child&#8217;s own experiences. These interactions not only make reading fun but also strengthen their comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive language skills.</li>



<li><strong>Use technology wisely:</strong> Video read-alouds and interactive reading apps can be valuable tools, especially when you&#8217;re short on time or feeling out of energy. The best read-alouds highlight the word as it is written, helping to connect the written word to the spoken word. Even when using technology, make it an interactive experience. Pause the story to ask questions, make predictions, and discuss the story together. Remember to balance screen time with traditional book reading and other hands-on activities.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-care-of-health-concerns">Take care of health concerns:</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="749" src="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sleeping-man-3404668_1280-1024x749.webp" alt="Comical illustration of someone snoring loudly, symbolizing the potential link between restricted tongue movement and sleep-disordered breathing." class="wp-image-650" style="width:287px;height:auto" srcset="https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sleeping-man-3404668_1280-1024x749.webp 1024w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sleeping-man-3404668_1280-300x219.webp 300w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sleeping-man-3404668_1280-768x562.webp 768w, https://mrsspeechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sleeping-man-3404668_1280.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This comical illustration of snoring is a reminder to pay attention to your child&#8217;s breathing during sleep, as consistent snoring can indicate underlying health concerns impacting brain development and learning.</figcaption></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Pay attention to snoring</strong>. Snoring is a symptom of an obstruction in the airway that is likely impacting their sleep, which is crucial for brain development and learning. Consult a doctor or dentist if your child regularly snores or breathes through their mouth instead of their nose.</li>



<li><strong>Vision &amp; hearing screenings</strong> &#8211; it is vital that your child can see and hear the world around them. Make sure their yearly wellness visits include these important screenings. Hearing loss, even mild hearing loss, can affect their speech, language, and even reading. The earlier it is caught, the less impact it can have. Hearing screening might need to be done more frequently if your child has frequent ear infections.</li>



<li><strong>Bite and oral posture</strong> &#8211; things like an overbite, underbite, or tongue thrust can also significantly impact speech. Make sure your child sees a dentist as soon as teeth begin to emerge.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-wait-consult-an-slp-nbsp">Don’t Wait, Consult an SLP:&nbsp;</h3>



<p>If you have any concerns about your child&#8217;s speech, language, or communication, consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist. Early intervention can make a significant difference in supporting those crucial language development years. Even if therapy is not recommended, the SLP can give you tips on how to help at home.</p>



<p>Remember, every child is unique and learns at their own pace. Celebrate their successes, be patient with their challenges, and most importantly, have fun!</p>



<p>By implementing these tips, you&#8217;re actively cultivating communication skills and setting your little learners up for lifelong success.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helpful-links-for-boosting-language-learning">Helpful Links for Boosting Language Learning</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Typical Speech and Language Development</a>&nbsp;&#8211; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association</li>



<li><a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Ages &amp; Stages</a>&nbsp;&#8211; healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics</li>



<li><a href="https://www.handyhandouts.com/?_gl=1*6ccl78*_gcl_au*NTIzMzQ5NTc3LjE3MzU4NDE2MDA.*_ga*NzU2ODAwMjM1LjE3MzU4NDE2MDA.*_ga_TKK7WW5QWB*MTczNTg0MTYwMC4xLjEuMTczNTg0MTY2MS42MC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Handy Handouts</a>&nbsp;&#8211; great resource for quick tidbits and tips on speech and language</li>
</ul>



<p>Best Wishes!</p>



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