Valentine’s Day Activities at Home!
By Natalie Day, MS, CCC-SLP We are all used to the slump that comes with the cold days of January and February – the holidays are over and we are stuck inside (this year more than ever). That is why we love Valentine’s Day! A day for bright colors and spreading love, perfectly timed for…
Pictures Worth a Thousand Words
Books are a great way to expand your child’s speech and language skills at home. Wordless picture books add to the joy of storytelling, because you, or your child, become the storyteller. They can be used to target a variety of skills: Sequence what happens first, next, and last in the story. Recall details of…
Our Favorite Teletherapy Activities
Over the past several months, speech therapists everywhere have been learning how to make teletherapy fun, engaging, and beneficial to their clients. The SLPs at Columbus Speech & Hearing have created a list of some favorite tele-friendly activities, and they can also be used with parents at home! Mad Libs A quick Google search will…
Phonological Awareness Skills
Children playing with….sounds?!?! When most of us think about children playing, we usually think about things like blocks, puzzles, and other toys. But it’s also important for young children (and their families) to play with sounds – the sounds in their language. Doing so not only helps children learn how to pronounce these speech sounds but also…
How to Utilize a Timeless Author’s Books to Develop Speech & Language Skills
Dr. Seuss is a household name. Did you know his books can be used to develop speech & language skills? The next time you read one of your favorite Dr. Seuss books with your family, try incorporating these tips from our speech-language pathologists! Developing Vocabulary: Books are great for learning new vocabulary pertaining to a…
Smile Mask: How To
While individuals in our community are doing their part to slow the spread of Covid-19 by wearing face coverings, it has created a new challenge for those who rely or can benefit from lip reading. Mastering the new normal of communication with a face covering, while social distancing six feet away is difficult for anyone,…
Sensory Bin Fun!
Sensory bins are a favorite tool of speech therapists, teachers and parents alike! They provide an immersive, hands-on opportunity for children to practice their speech and language skills. Here’s what you need to know to integrate this easy tool into your life. What is a sensory bin? Tub or container filled with materials carefully selected…
Activities to Celebrate Diversity
Every day, adults and children alike are learning how to be more inclusive and celebrate the beautiful diversity in our world. Here are a few activities to help you and your family listen, learn, and grow in this pursuit. Read Reading books that have racially and culturally diverse characters help children see, learn about, and…
Hidden Messages
How fun is this?! Create and send “secret messages” with this activity! This could also be a motivating way to sneak in some speech practice, too. Whether it’s a word list, short messages, a card or pictures of items with your child’s speech sounds, this is sure to be a hit! 1. Grab markers, a…
How to Get the Most Out of Toy Time
A trip to the toy store isn’t so simple (or cheap) these days. Parents and kids are flooded with nearly every kind of toy imaginable—from trucks with loud sirens, dolls that talk, balls that flash, and tablets that do everything under the sun. Sometimes these toys can be fun, but they’re not always worth the…