How to Keep Speech Progress Going During the Holiday Chaos

Hey, speech friend! 👋🏼

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but if you’re a school-based SLP, you probably know it can also be one of the busiest!

Between holiday programs, classroom parties, new students from fall evaluations, IEP meetings, and the inevitable cold-and-flu season, it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. And unfortunately, that often means therapy sessions get missed or rescheduled—and progress can take a hit.

If the idea of kicking off 2026 with a caseload full of kids who’ve stalled (or even regressed) makes you cringe, don’t worry. You’re not alone—and I’ve got some easy ways to help you keep the progress going without adding extra stress to your plate.

Why the Holidays Can Derail Progress

Let’s be real—this time of year can be a therapy nightmare. Even our best scheduling intentions can get derailed by school assemblies, field trips, sick days, and snow delays.

Our kids thrive on structure and consistency, and when therapy gets interrupted for several weeks in a row, it can set them back—especially for articulation, apraxia, or phonological process goals that rely on frequent, repetitive practice.

But here’s the good news: maintaining progress doesn’t have to mean squeezing in frantic make-up sessions or hauling your materials home. A little bit of smart planning—and a great take-home system—can make all the difference.

The Secret: Homework That Actually Works

When sessions are inconsistent, I always turn to homework to help bridge the gap. But I’m not talking about sending home a random worksheet and hoping it gets used.

I’m talking about homework that’s easy for parents to follow, quick for kids to complete, and effective enough to actually move the needle while you’re juggling the chaos of the season.

Here’s what I look for when I pick out speech homework to send home:

✅ Clear, Printed Instructions

The last thing any of us have time for is handwriting directions 25 times. Choose pages that already include simple, parent-friendly instructions so you can print and go.

✅ Multiple Days on One Sheet

Printing once and being done for the week? Yes, please. I love sheets that include several short practice sections so families can fit in a few minutes each day without it feeling overwhelming.

✅ Quick, Fun, and Engaging

If a page feels like “homework,” it’s more likely to end up crumpled at the bottom of a backpack. Find resources that feel more like a game or challenge—something that keeps kids interested and parents sane.

✅ Enough Trials to Make a Difference

We all know repetition is key. Pick materials that allow for plenty of meaningful trials in just a few minutes of practice.

✅ Covers More Than Just Articulation

It’s easy to find arctic homework, but don’t forget your kids with apraxia or phonological process goals—they need frequent and consistent practice too! Look for a mix that hits multiple areas.

✅ Makes You Look Like a Rockstar SLP

Parents love seeing that you’re invested in their child’s success. When you send home organized, thoughtful, and fun practice pages, it reflects your professionalism and helps build great rapport.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

I know how it feels—by December, your to-do list is already bursting. Between data collection, progress reports, and end-of-semester paperwork, the last thing you want to do is spend hours creating homework materials.

That’s why I always keep a winter-themed speech homework bundle on hand. It’s festive, functional, and ridiculously easy to prep. One printout can cover multiple days of practice, and it keeps kids engaged during the most distracting time of the year.

Plus, it’s designed to target articulation, apraxia, and phonological processes, so no matter what your caseload looks like, you’ll have something ready to go.

⭐️ CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE BUNDLE ⭐️

Keep the Progress, Lose the Stress

The holidays should be joyful—not stressful. So instead of worrying about missed sessions or stalled progress, try sending home a simple set of structured, engaging practice sheets that empower families to keep speech goals moving forward.

You’ll roll into the new year with less anxiety, happier parents, and a caseload that’s still making progress… even through the chaos.

Cheers to less stress, more progress, and maybe even an extra mug of cocoa this holiday season. ☕🎄