Welcome to the blog! I am oh so eager to share some of my favorite speechie materials, ideas, tips, and tricks with you!
Everything is better together, so make sure to comment and let me know what you think and what you want more of!
Speech Room Tour: Quick-Grab Shelf
Over on Instagram, I started doing speech room tours on Fridays. I’d show a part of my office and explain in my stories how I use each item. The tours were a hit, so I figured I’d bring that info over here on the blog.
Up first is what I call my “quick-grab” shelf. It’s located right next to my therapy table, so I can quickly grab any of the materials without having to get up and go across the room.
Here’s a picture! Scroll down to see how I use these items in my therapy sessions, and scroll down even farther for direct links to grab them for yourself!
Articulation Boxes: These are in the black shelving system with 24 drawers. The drawers are organized by speech sound and are full of tiny objects that include the target sound and mini articulation cards for inital, medial, and final positions of words. The tiny objects are perfect to put in sensory bins and use for egg hunts! I just used letter stickers (find them at any craft store) to make the labels.
Musical Ball Popper: On top of my articulation boxes you’ll find my musical ball popper. When you press the big button to turn it on, music plays and the fan propels the balls through the machine, pops them into the air, then down the slide, and back up. My little ones ADORE this thing. Next to Cariboo, it’s the holy grail of speech pathology. It even has a tiny switch on the back so you can turn the whole machine off until they request it, say their target word, make eye contact with you, etc. I truly don’t think I’d survive without this guy!
Apraxia Card Boxes: See those colorful boxes stacked horizontally? Those are full of apraxia cards, each for a different type of consonant-vowel combination. For example, if you pulled out the green box, you’d find pictures for C1V1C1V2 words. I also have boxes full of tiny objects for each consonant-vowel combination.
Ball Popper Animals: On the windowsill you’ll see a unicorn ball popper and a penguin ball popper! When you squeeze their tummies, the ball shoots out with a loud popping sound! Kids think this is so much fun. You can target requesting, commenting, turn-taking, and words like “go,” “up,” “in,” “out,” “eat,” and “uh-oh.” Sometimes I even use the ball poppers to shoot articulation cards! I use sticky tack to attach cards to my door, then have the kid stand back and try to shoot one. The one they get is the word we practice.
Fubbles: These are the BEST bubbles ever! In the picture, the orange Fubbles container is in front of my animal ball poppers in the windowsill. The amazing thing about Fubbles is that they can’t spill– even if you tip them all the way over! I feel comfortable letting kids hold the container (which they always want to do) to blow bubbles, knowing there are no messes in my future! I use bubbles to target joint attention, expectant looks, turn-taking, functional play, and to target words like “bubble,” “pop,” “up,” “blow,” and “uh-oh.”
Ring Stacker: The set of color stacking rings with the monkey on top is another great toy for little ones. I play peek-a-boo with them through the rings, practice functional play, turn-taking, requesting, and target words like “spin,” “on,” and “off.” Fisher-Price doesn’t make this exact version anymore, but I’ve linked a similar one below.
Super Duper Cards: On the black shelf, you’ll see a boatload of Super Duper articulation cards stacked vertically. These cards are nice for playing games like Memory and Go Fish. Honestly, I haven’t been using these cards much lately. Especially with COVID-19 precautions, I’ve been opting to use Boom Cards on my iPad. It’s cleaner! You can check out my articulation Boom Cards here. Just search for the sound you need.
iPad: My handy dandy iPad is a must-have. Like I said, it makes sanitizing between patients so much easier! I’ve mostly been using the Boom Learning app. My kids truly do beg for Boom time! Never heard of Boom before? Find my FAQ here and my Boom Help page here. If you want to see what decks I’ve made, visit my store here. The iPad Air has worked great for me! A sturdy case with a kickstand is a must-have!
I hope this list gives you some fresh ideas to use in YOUR therapy room! Comment below to let me know what you think and what your favorites are!
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I have the ball popper and I agree. One of the best toys I’ve bought for the younger kids. They can’t get enough of it. I use it to work on the word “ball” and “pop”. It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t have a volume control because it’s loud.
You’re right! It’s SO loud! With similar toys I’ve put clear packing tape over the speaker to decrease the volume, but that doesn’t work for this one because of the fan. I hear the songs of the ball popper in my dreams. Haha!