Author: Elizabeth Novak-Czech MA CCC SLP

  Sequencing means putting events in order—an important skill for understanding stories, following directions, and organizing ideas. Easy Ways to Practice: Talk about routines: Describe daily tasks step by step. “First we brush our teeth, then we wash our face.” Retell stories: After reading, ask, “What happened first? What happened next?” Use pictures: Mix up simple picture cards and have your child put them in order. Cook or craft together: Recipes and crafts are great real-life practice. Tips: Start with 2–3 steps. Use words like first, next, and last. Praise their efforts!

Game play can be a way to support expressive language growth in older children. Language games can help keep practice interesting as well as be highly effective in enhancing communication skills. *Scattergories – Vocabulary Building -List related words under a given category, each starting with a specific letter. -Engaging in vocabulary learning and word-finding abilities. *Two Truths and a Lie – Sentence Structure and Grammar Fun -Share three statements, two true and one false. -Targets sentence structure, grammar, and inferencing skills. *Headbanz – Describing and Categorizing Challenge -Wear a picture on your head and ask yes-or-no questions to guess its identity. -Enhances understanding and expression of descriptive terms. *20 Questions/Would You Rather? – Conversational Language Skills -Practice social skills, sentence structure, grammar,

  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a powerful tool used to support communication. AAC can be used to support connection, learning, and independence. Yet, despite its benefits, AAC is often surrounded by myths that can delay or prevent it’s use. Here are some of the most common AAC myths. Myth 1: “AAC will stop my child from talking.” Truth: AAC supports speech—it doesn’t replace it. Research shows that AAC can actually help kids develop spoken language. Myth 2: “AAC is a last resort.” Truth: Don’t wait! AAC can and should be introduced early. It’s a valuable tool, not a backup plan. Myth 3: “AAC is only for nonverbal kids.” Truth: Anyone with communication struggles can benefit. Many AAC users speak but need

  The 4th of July is more than just fireworks and cookouts—it’s also a great opportunity to support your child’s language development in fun, natural ways. Whether you’re at a parade, a backyard BBQ, or watching the sky light up, here are some easy, engaging ideas to build communication and connection. 1. Label What You See Name objects and actions: “Firework!”, “Red balloon!”, “Hot dog!” 2. Talk About Senses Use describing words: “Loud boom,” “Sticky fingers,” “Smells like smoke.” 3. Offer Choices Encourage communication: “Do you want watermelon or chips?” 4. Sing & Repeat Patriotic songs and chants build vocabulary. Try: “Red, white, blue—what do you see?” 5. Tell a Story At day’s end, talk about what happened: “First the parade, then lunch, last fireworks!”

The playground is an excellent space for developing language and communication skills. Engaging in play fosters social interaction, cooperation, and creative expression. Here are some ideas for promoting language growth at the park: 1. Encourage Social Interaction Playgrounds naturally promote peer interactions. Encourage children to introduce themselves to new friends, take turns, and negotiate rules for games. By guiding them in social exchanges, adults can help children learn new words, practice conversation skills, and build confidence in expressing themselves. 2. Use Playful Language Narrating play activities and engaging in imaginative play can significantly enhance language development. Use descriptive words to talk about what children are doing such as, “You’re climbing so high up the ladder!” or “That slide is really

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and adventure. It is the perfect time to introduce little ones to books that celebrate nature, animals, and new beginnings. *”The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle This book follows the journey of a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through different foods before transforming into a butterfly. *”Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert This book introduces children to the magic of gardening and showcasing how seeds grow into colorful flowers. *”The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle Another Carle favorite, this book follows a small seed’s journey as it travels through the seasons and grows into a towering flower.  *”The Golden Egg Book” by Margaret Wise Brown This story follows a bunny

The New Year is a great time to teach kids the value of goal setting. It’s a chance to practice and build skills such as planning, persistence, and self-reflection while boosting their confidence. Tips for Goal-Setting with Kids: Explain Goals Simply Discuss what goals are and why they’re important. Keep Goals Age-Appropriate Tailor goals to your child’s age. Younger kids can aim for simple goals, like reading a new book, while older kids can tackle longer-term objectives. Write It Down Have kids write their goals, draw their goals, or create a vision board. Celebrate Progress Acknowledge milestones to keep them motivated, whether through words of encouragement or small rewards. Stay Flexible Help kids adapt their goals if needed. Flexibility is a valuable skill for overcoming challenges.

Valentine’s Day is an excellent opportunity to engage children in interactive language activities. These activities encourage kids to express themselves, expand their vocabulary, and strengthen their communication skills.  1. Valentine’s Vocabulary Hunt Create a word scavenger hunt with a Valentine’s Day twist! Write Valentine-themed words like “love,” “heart,” “friendship,” and “kindness” on small cards, and hide them around the room. Provide kids with a checklist and challenge them to find and talk about what each word means. 2. Love Letter Writing Encourage kids to write letters to someone they care about. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, or even a pet! Provide paper, stickers, and markers to make their letters extra special. For younger children, provide sentence starters

  Speech therapy for young children is play-based and may look exactly like play time. How this differs from play time with the child’s mom, dad, or other children is the strategies that the speech therapist uses during play with the child. During play-based therapy, therapists will often follow a child’s lead to best support engagement and promote communication opportunities. While engaging with toys and activities, the therapist will use techniques such as getting on the child’s level on the floor, parallel talk (i.e., narrating wth the child is doing), adding an additional word to the child’s utterance, setting up turn-taking opportunities, and modeling different types of play. While it may look like a therapist is just playing with your

Fall provides many opportunities to expand your child’s speech and language skills. Here are some fall-related ideas: 1. Make Leaves: Use construction paper to cut various sizes of leaves. You can then sort by color, shape, and/or size. 2. Count Apple or Pumpkin Seeds: Cut an apple in half or cut open a pumpkin and count how many seeds are inside. If you choose to use a pumpkin, you can also roast the pumpkin seeds. Talk with your child about the steps you take (cleaning the seeds, laying them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and bake, etc.). 3. Collect Leaves: Go on a nature walk around your school or neighborhood. Allow your child to collect different colors, shapes,