I wanted to share this video to show you how you c I wanted to share this video to show you how you can break up minimal pairs therapy with a meaningful and fun activity!

We are working on /s/ cluster reduction, and took a break from “the cards” to work on nap vs. snap using an iPad game (we also practiced no vs. snow).

We pretended our hands were the machine and said “snap” and then the reinforcer is to tap the screen and pick up (or “snap”) the snow.

I find that kids really respond to these meaningful tasks as it emphasises how our words have meaning, and you can get a lot of organic practice trials in 💪🏻

BTW... I just ❤️ my kids!!!

#speechtherapy #speechpathology #slp #slpeeps #minimalpairs #speechdevelopment #privatepracticeslp #preschoolslp
I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck! I’ve g I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck!

I’ve got three on my caseload at the moment who respond so well to the emotion visuals, and it’s so lovely to hear some change in their voice vs. a monotone, robot-like voice!!

CARDS: @bjoremspeech @iowaspeechie @bjoremspeechpublications

#apraxiaofspeech #slpeeps #childhoodapraxiaofspeech #speechtherapy
Binding. It’s a simple little joy that makes my Binding.

It’s a simple little joy that makes my SLP life easier.

And no, I don’t have a binding machine... I take it to my local office shop and it costs me around $5 to do!!!

Any other binding fans out there???

#binding #slpsofinstagram #slplife #slpeeps #slpsontpt #speechies #slporganization
Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words using minimal pairs, DOESN’T mean that you are forbidden from using any other cues!

Many times, my kids need some additional types of cues, whether it be gestures (point to the throat), a mirror (to see the tongue go back), metaphors (front vs. back sounds), or placement cues (move your tongue back) to help them be accurate so that they aren’t frustrated.

Many times those cues get dropped pretty quickly... but I still use a pragmatic cue where I question what the child means (did you mean tea or key?).

And yes, I used fronting as my example because GOSH IT’S A STUBBORN PATTERN sometimes. And I need aaaaaalllll the cues 🤣 do you agree??

#adventuresinspeechpathology #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #slpeeps #slp #speechtherapy #speechdelay #preschoolslp
Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you NEED to know when implementing a new therapy approach?

I made this Minimal Pairs Therapy plan to help make sure you have thought of, and planned, the elements to implement the approach.

This means choosing the approach, picking the patterns and sounds that will make the most impact, completing generalization probes, and REALLY thinking about your treatment intensity.

So many times I have people say the child isn’t generalizing, and I wonder if they have planned for all of these elements?

Is it really the child, or has the SLP not planned the therapy correctly????

TAKEN FROM: the Minimal Pairs Handbook

#Adventuresinspeechpathology #minimalpairshandbook #phonology #slp2b #slpgradstudent #speechdelay #slpeeps #preschoolslp #ebpslp #speechtherapy #speechpathologist
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You don’t need fancy toys to do minimal pair tasks!

I upload minimal pair resources to my iPad so I can bring them up when I’m on my school visits.

We literally put animal figurines in the sections, and then after we “earned” them all, we picked them up and tried to throw them back in the container.

Also.... love how this little one correctly said “go” after we had that communication breakdown. The POWER of minimal pairs therapy 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

#minimalpairs #speechdelay #speechpathology #speechtherapy #preschoolslp #schoolslp #privatepracticeslp #adventuresinspeechpathology
I pulled out this shopping game (again) today for I pulled out this shopping game (again) today for minimal pairs!

We practice our pairs, then flip a picture over to see what the item is, and who’s list it belongs to.

Simple, but very motivating for Miss 4 today!!!

#minimalpairs #speechtherapy #slp #speechdelay #speechpathologist #Adventuresinspeechpathology #preschoolslp
Here are some truths: 1. I always wanted to be a p Here are some truths:
1. I always wanted to be a psychologist
2. I never wanted to work with kids

Then I changed degrees and
3. I thought I’d be a medical SLP

Then I realised I didn’t like dysphagia and brain stuff as much as I thought so
4. I thought I’d enjoy working with complex communication needs

Then I really found a love for:
5. Social communication ❤️ I still enjoy everything I learned, and gosh did I do a lot of PD. But I felt like my kids never moved off my caseload.

Then I realised
6. I get A LOT of joy assessing and figuring out speech patterns and seeing kids make fast progress week-to-week targeting their speech sounds.

So here I am!

It’s definitely NOT the place I thought I’d be, but sometimes you have to try different things to know what’s right for you!

#adventuresinspeechpathology #slplife #slpsofinstagram
Nothing gets me up at 5:45am on a Saturday morning Nothing gets me up at 5:45am on a Saturday morning like the excitement of a new resource.

Seriously.

I’m a morning bird and do my best work when the whole house is asleep.

I don’t even have a coffee 😲😲😲

Sooooo..... I’m still taking requests for my next set of minimal pair toolkit resources. Drop them below 👇🏻

#adventuresinspeechpathology #minimalpairs #speechtherapy #slpeeps #slpsontpt #slpsofinstagram #preschoolslp
I have been hearing this phrase OVER and OVER agai I have been hearing this phrase OVER and OVER again lately!!

Many of you have been trying minimal pairs therapy either for the 1st time, or you’re implementing it differently...

... and the amount of times that I read a DM or feedback on TpT saying that things literally just “clicked” in a session was high enough that it warrants its own IG post 😂

See, THIS is why I love treating SSD, and I love the minimal pairs approach. Your child can make HUGE LEAPS within one session.

It’s amazing! It’s encouraging. And gosh it makes your job satisfaction high!

Do you know what I’m taking about? Have you ever seen things “click” with a child?
Tell me how 👇🏻

#speechtherapy #speechdelay #slpeeps #slp #slp2b #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #phonology #ebpslp #schoolslp #privatepracticeslp
I wanted to share this video to show you how you c I wanted to share this video to show you how you can break up minimal pairs therapy with a meaningful and fun activity!

We are working on /s/ cluster reduction, and took a break from “the cards” to work on nap vs. snap using an iPad game (we also practiced no vs. snow).

We pretended our hands were the machine and said “snap” and then the reinforcer is to tap the screen and pick up (or “snap”) the snow.

I find that kids really respond to these meaningful tasks as it emphasises how our words have meaning, and you can get a lot of organic practice trials in 💪🏻

BTW... I just ❤️ my kids!!!

#speechtherapy #speechpathology #slp #slpeeps #minimalpairs #speechdevelopment #privatepracticeslp #preschoolslp
I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck! I’ve g I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck!

I’ve got three on my caseload at the moment who respond so well to the emotion visuals, and it’s so lovely to hear some change in their voice vs. a monotone, robot-like voice!!

CARDS: @bjoremspeech @iowaspeechie @bjoremspeechpublications

#apraxiaofspeech #slpeeps #childhoodapraxiaofspeech #speechtherapy
Binding. It’s a simple little joy that makes my Binding.

It’s a simple little joy that makes my SLP life easier.

And no, I don’t have a binding machine... I take it to my local office shop and it costs me around $5 to do!!!

Any other binding fans out there???

#binding #slpsofinstagram #slplife #slpeeps #slpsontpt #speechies #slporganization
Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words using minimal pairs, DOESN’T mean that you are forbidden from using any other cues!

Many times, my kids need some additional types of cues, whether it be gestures (point to the throat), a mirror (to see the tongue go back), metaphors (front vs. back sounds), or placement cues (move your tongue back) to help them be accurate so that they aren’t frustrated.

Many times those cues get dropped pretty quickly... but I still use a pragmatic cue where I question what the child means (did you mean tea or key?).

And yes, I used fronting as my example because GOSH IT’S A STUBBORN PATTERN sometimes. And I need aaaaaalllll the cues 🤣 do you agree??

#adventuresinspeechpathology #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #slpeeps #slp #speechtherapy #speechdelay #preschoolslp
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Adventures in Speech Pathology

Feel confident treating speech sound disorders

Uncategorized · October 27, 2017

25 Hands-on Ideas for Teaching Syllabification of Words

“I was looking through my ‘noclars and saw an elfent eating sketti at the hopital” she said. Who am I kidding? They ALL say this! Polysyllabic or multisyllabic words ring alarm bells for me on many fronts.

Sure, it COULD be poor phonological processing or awareness skills. That makes the most sense.

But what about language? I always worry that my kids are encoding the wrong vocabulary and then won’t be able to access the ‘real’ word when they come across it because it doesn’t match their word.

Or perhaps there are some motor planning and syllable structure constraints going on. Tons of my speech kids find these longer words particularly tricky so I know it’s all connected.

Whatever the cause, it’s easy to target in therapy. Make it part of your everyday routine, a transition activity between tasks, a challenge for the day… whatever! I’ve listed 25 ideas to get you thinking.

  1. Use INSTRUMENTS to tap out the syllables. Drums, triangles, tambourines, xylophones, clapping sticks and maracas work the best. And you can’t go past singing along to a piano or keyboard!
  2. Put little pom poms or cotton balls in EGG CARTONS for each syllable.
  3. Draw CHALK circles on the carpet/concrete and have kids step out each syllable.
  4. Throw a BALL back and forth for each syllable.
  5. Use a WHITEBOARD and have the child make a tally or cross out a circles for each syllable
  6. Make a simple ABACUS and slide each bead along. Or if you want to be outdoorsy, most playgrounds have those big versions… they are super fun!
  7. Use the game CONNECT 4 or JENGA and have the pieces represent syllables. You can play/build as you go.
  8. Grab some string and BEADS and put a bead on for each syllable heard. Don’t have beads? Use pasta or regular threading activities.
  9. There is something fascinating about a POSTING BOX. Have a 1-2-3-4-5 syllable boxes, grab some polysyllabic cards and post into the correct box.
  10. Use a FELT BOARD and put felt pictures on to represent each syllable. Kids love creating picture scenes from the syllables they hear.syllables with felt
  11. If you own a FROG HOP game, have them hop a frog for each syllable. Or, better yet, make numbered lily pads to represent the number of syllables heard in each word and have them hop to the right one!
  12. Use a simple VELCRO board and the child can stick on/take off a picture for each syllable heard. Kids LOVE to rip that velcro off!
  13. Cut some PAPER into shapes or use TWISTER circles to jump each syllable out.
  14. Use MAGNETIC COUNTERS with a wand or MAGNETIC games where the child can connect each syllable.
  15. Use LEGO or BLOCKS and build as you add each syllable.syllable blocks
  16. Every child loves smashing PLAY-DOH. Roll syllables into balls or have your students stamp things into the play-doh.
  17. Drive a train around a TRAIN TRACK – but you can only drive the number of syllables that you hear in a word, or add extra carriages per syllable.
  18. Use BINGO DAUBERS and dab the number of syllables. Fill a whole page in colorful dots!
  19. Incorporate PAINTING and paint different strokes/patterns/dots for every syllable. If you are a fan of those ‘100 challenge’ sheets, this would be perfect to paint 100 syllables heard in rainbow colors!
  20. Play syllable HOPSCOTCH and jump the number of syllables that are heard in words. Great for the little ones who need to move.syllable train carriages
  21. I like putting cute stickers on LIDS and putting them in a bag so that a child can pull out a lid for each syllable. We then might group the lids based on number of syllables heard.
  22. Grab some dice or even better, mini WOODEN CUBES and make syllable stacks – painting or adding pictures to the cubes is an added bonus!
  23. Make some colorful patterns using CRAFT STICKS. First syllable = red, second syllable = blue and so on.
  24. Another hands-on favorite is lining up those POM POMS from #2 and flicking each one as you say a syllable. And why not get a little competitive and have a makeshift goal to aim at?
  25. Bring out those throwing games! DARTS and RING TOSS will get you thinking. Anything with enough ‘parts’ to represent sounds will get the job done.

 So where can you get your hands on some word lists and cards?

  • Go to LessonPix for some 3 syllable clipart (subscription usually needed).
  • Grab these Polysyllabic Cards that double as worksheets from my store OR snag the freebie sample version.
  • For cards in photo stock, then check out these flashcards from Home Speech Home and print the word lists.
  • Follow my Pinterest Board for all my favourite Phonological Awareness ideas.

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Hi, I'm Rebecca.
I encourage SLPs to feel more confident treating speech sound disorders, and make faster progress with their students.

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