One of the websites that was always recommended was Boom Learning. “What are these ‘Boom Cards’ everyone keeps talking about?” I remember asking myself. I explored the site for myself and was quickly impressed with the variety of activities and that all of the decks were created by fellow SLPs and teachers. I used the platform a bit and thought “Hey, I could make these. It would be nice to have a couple extra bucks every month for Starbucks or something.” I had tried selling activities on Teachers Pay Teachers with little success (I mean, $4 isn’t success, right? Asking for a friend…). Why would this be any different? A couple bucks turned into over $1,000 in my first month selling on Boom Learning. I was onto something! Several of my friends and co-workers began creating and selling activities in the Boom Store, too, and we all loved the extra income!

Last week, one of my co-workers asked me, “Do you think Boom Cards are just a temporary thing? Is this all going to go away once life goes back to normal?” My answer was… “No way!” Here are the 3 big reasons why I believe Boom Cards are here to stay.

1. Teletherapy isn’t going anywhere.

Research indicates that teletherapy is a sustainable option for speech and language services. Even though teletherapy may not be mandated anymore, I believe that many offices and school districts will continue to offer virtual services as an option to families. A 2017 study found that teletherapy is a “promising” method for treating children with speech and language difficulties, that both teletherapy and in-person participants made significant improvements, and that SLPs and students reported high levels of satisfaction with teletherapy (Wales, Skinner, et al.). Another study found that children made similar progress in teletherapy versus in-person therapy and that parents overwhelmingly supported teletherapy as a service delivery model (Grogran-Johnson, Alvares, Rowan, Creaghead, 2010). Several of my patients and families have chosen to continue teletherapy services even though our office is up-and-running again. As long as teletherapy exists, SLPs will be using Boom Cards.

2. SLPs and teachers have invested serious money in these therapy activities.

While Boom Learning does not release metrics for their annual sales, I would not be surprised if millions of dollars were spent in the Boom Store this year. Judging by the activity in the Boom Store, SLPs and teachers have invested a lot of money in Boom Card decks and bundles. I don’t believe that someone who has invested even $50 in the Boom Store is going to abandon those purchased activities and let them go to waste.

3. Boom Cards are easy to use in face-to-face therapy sessions.

Who says you even need to be doing teletherapy to use Boom Cards?! I use activities on my iPad all day long. My patients love the iPad and beg for Boom time! They enjoy the interactive, game-like features and I like how much “work” we’re able to get done. It’s a win-win! Plus, it’s so easy to simply wipe the iPad down with a disinfectant wipe between my patients– much easier than cleaning all the tiny pieces that go with my games and toys.

If you’re a Boom Card creator like myself, have no fear! I truly believe that Boom Cards are here to stay. If you don’t create Boom Cards but are interested in starting a fun side-business like I have, check out my course to get started!