As the school bells ring once again, speech therapists gear up to provide valuable support to students who may be struggling with speech and language skills.
Back-to-school season offers a fresh start and an opportunity to implement creative and effective speech therapy activities that engage, inspire, and empower students.
My Speech Selfie
This is a staple activity that I use every first day of speech. I create a document with various text boxes containing “get to know you” questions (e.g., Who do you live with, what’s your favorite food, etc.). In the center of the paper, I leave a blank textbox for the students to create a self-portrait. The kids love doing them and I love learning about them! Plus, it doubles as a cute decoration to hang up around the room.
#GoalGetters
I love to get my students involved in their goals and ensure they know exactly why they come to see me. Another great activity is having them write their goals on a cut-out soccer ball. Encourage them to articulate their goals clearly, whether it's improving a specific sound, increasing fluency, or enhancing expressive language. Discussing goals empowers students and helps them take ownership of their progress. I then take these soccer balls and hang them up in my “goal” poster on the wall, so we have a daily reminder!
Would you Rather
Would you Rather is a fun game to play on the first day of speech for a few reasons. One, it allows you as the therapist to take a deeper listen into your students’ speech and language skills during a spontaneous conversation. How well do they answer questions? How is their grammar? Do they use reasoning to support their answers? What about their articulation skills? The best part is the students don’t even know they’re doing anything speech-related!
The first day of speech therapy is a chance to ignite enthusiasm and create a positive atmosphere for learning. By incorporating interactive and engaging activities, speech therapists can set the stage for a successful and rewarding journey toward speech improvement. As you embark on this journey with your students, remember the first day is just the beginning of a transformative and empowering experience!
Author: Camryn Harwick, M.S., CCC-SLP