How to Make Word Lists Engaging and Fun for Speech Therapy
Hey speech friend!
Quick question for ya 💭
Have you ever worked with a child who just LOVED an iPad?
An SLP friend of mine had a student who would see the therapist's iPad on the table, snatch it up, and make themselves cozy in a beanbag, refusing to participate. Any and all attempts to engage with them and the iPad were NOT appreciated!
So what's a therapist to do? 🧐
It's tough, because digital tools and apps can be extremely helpful, but the iPad itself can be hard to manage for kids who see it and know the capabilities it has for games and other fun activities!
This particular therapist brainstormed and went back to a low-tech approach to her therapy: word lists, board games, paper-based activities, and hands-on learning. The change was instant!
If you also struggle with students who don't benefit from the iPad/tablet being around, consider using some low-tech therapy options instead! I love using word-lists with these kids, so that we can really focus on our goals for speech and get those important trials in. Check out how I use them to create engaging, fun, EFFECTIVE sessions below!
Grab my big bundle of Articulation Lists which includes words, sentences, and stories! A perfect low-tech option for your students who need it 👇🏼
Using word lists in therapy 📝
The Benefits
Word Lists can be a great tool to add to your speech therapy session for a myriad of reasons!
1. Focus on Specific Targets: Word lists allow therapists to target specific sounds or sound patterns that a client may be struggling with. This targeted approach can be more effective than using general-purpose iPad apps that may not focus on the client's specific articulation goals or may not be able to be modified to address all the targets.
2. Real-world Relevance: Word lists can be tailored to include words that are relevant to the client's interests, daily activities, or communication needs. This makes practice more meaningful and can help the client generalize their improved articulation skills to real-life situations.
3. Client Engagement: While iPad apps can be visually appealing and interactive, some clients may find them overwhelming or distracting. Word lists offer a simpler and more focused approach that may be easier for some clients to engage with, especially those who are sensitive to sensory stimuli or have attention difficulties.
4. Flexibility: Word lists can be used in various settings, including individual therapy sessions, group sessions, and home practice. I love using word lists instead of apps during therapy when playing games in a group. Simply print the ones relevant to each student as opposed to switching back and forth on the iPad!
Targeting Phonological Processes? Use these word lists to make it easy!
How to Implement Them:
So you've got the lists, now let's pair them with activities to keep kids engaged!
Board Games:
Word Lists are PERFECT for pairing with board games because the child can easily swap between the words and the game.
Tell a Story:
Have the child look at the list and choose words that they make a story out of!
Charades and Pictionary:
Choose a word from the list and act out or draw it.
Speedy Speech:
Using a timer, have the child go through the word list and see how many productions they can say accurately in that time. Bonus if you have a clicker that they can monitor their own productions with!
In case you have a student who is a little tech-distracted, word lists and using them in a creative, engaging way is a great alternative to using an iPad! Let me know in the comments below if you use word lists in your sessions and how!
Happy Speeching!
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