Singing and Speech!

Hey there, SLP friend! 👋🏼

Let’s talk about something I wish we saw more of in early intervention—singing songs during sessions.

I know, I know… sometimes it feels like singing is just for circle time or music class, but trust me—songs are a hidden gem when it comes to boosting communication. They’re easy to implement, naturally engaging, and they pack a serious punch when it comes to language development.

Here are a few of the big reasons why singing needs a permanent spot in your therapy toolbox (yes, even more than flashcards!).

🎶 1. Kids LOVE Music (and It Keeps Them Engaged)

There’s something magical about music—especially for our littlest clients. The rhythm, melody, and fun motions that come along with singing instantly grab their attention. And let’s be honest… some sessions need a little extra something to keep a wiggly toddler involved.

When a child lights up because they recognize a favorite song, you’ve got an instant in. You're no longer the "person asking them to talk"—you’re the fun singing buddy.

🔁 2. Repetition Without the Groans

Repetition is key for learning language, and songs are the perfect vehicle for it. Singing the same songs over and over builds predictability and lets kids anticipate the next word, line, or gesture.

You get repeated models of target words, built-in opportunities for turn-taking, and chances to practice expressive language without having to say, “Can you say ___?” 50 times. 🙃

🖐 3. Movement + Language = Magic

So many songs come with hand motions, dancing, or clapping—and that’s golden for our sensory-seeking or movement-loving kids. Embedding language in movement makes it stick. You’re not just saying the word “jump”—you’re jumping while you say it. That multisensory input helps with both comprehension and retention.

Okay, so now that we’re all on board the sing-song train 🚂💨… let’s talk implementation.

Here are a few easy ways to weave music into your sessions and target specific language goals:

🎵 Building Vocabulary Through Everyday Routines

Goal: Teach vocabulary for common objects and routines (like shoes, soap, car, towel).

How to Use It: Pick songs that reference things the child encounters every day. You can even sing during the routine itself!

Try This Song:
“This is the Way We Wash Our Hands” – Talk about soap, water, towel, washing, drying, etc. Bonus points if you can act it out with real materials or during snack time cleanup!

🎵 Talking About Feelings and Preferences

Goal: Expand emotional vocab and words related to likes/dislikes (like, love, want).

How to Use It: Choose songs that highlight what characters or people like to do, eat, or feel.

Try These Songs:

• “I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas” – Great for practicing food words and expressing preferences.

• “If You’re Happy and You Know It” – A classic for emotions and verbs. Spice it up with your own verses: “If you’re silly…”, “If you’re shy…” and model those expressions!

🎵 Teaching Verbs and Actions

Goal: Target action words like run, hop, clap, sing, jump.

How to Use It: Pick songs that show the action and encourage the child to do it too!

Try These Songs:

• “If You’re Happy and You Know It” – Yep, this one’s doing double duty. Use it to teach “clap,” “stomp,” “shout,” etc.

• “The Hokey Pokey” – Hello movement verbs! “Put your right hand in,” “turn around,” “shake it,” and more. Super fun for teaching spatial concepts too.

📣 Want to Take It to the Next Level?

Here are a few pro tips for making your music-infused sessions even more effective:

• Repeat Often: The more kids hear the same songs, the more they pick up. Don’t be afraid to sing the same tune every session for a while.

• Add Visuals: Use simple pictures, flashcards, or objects to show the vocab as you sing it. Hold up a toy apple during the “apple” verse, or point to your own hands during “wash our hands.”

• Use Gestures: Not only does this help with comprehension, it also encourages participation. Kids are more likely to chime in if they’re clapping or stomping along.

Singing might feel like a small thing—but in early intervention, it can make a huge difference. It boosts engagement, repetition, comprehension, and language production in ways that other methods just can’t match.

So if you’ve been stuck in a therapy rut or looking for new ways to make sessions more playful and effective, warm up those vocal cords and start singing your way through vocabulary, verbs, and routines.

Trust me, your little ones will be all smiles—and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

You’re doing amazing work out there—keep singing, keep playing, and keep making therapy fun. 🎤🧡

Happy speeching!

P.S. Want more early intervention tips? Join the Early Intervention Academy for SLPs! (8 PDH!)

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