Wouldn’t it be nice if your preschool students had an engaging fall themed activity where they learned new, salient, vocabulary while they work on their articulation?
Be honest, have you ever looked at a deck of articulation cards and wondered how many of the words the child actually knows? Particularly those little friends who are not only speech delayed, but language delayed as well?
Now, tell me if this scenario sounds familiar to you: You are working with a preschool student. He (or she) is unintelligible and has many phonological processes. He also has language delays and needs to learn new vocabulary. OH, AND HE CAN’T SIT STILL…because, I mean, he is in PRESCHOOL…
Have you experienced this? Are you bored of using the same articulation cards with words that aren’t even relevant to this child’s life?
I have already created a set of preschool themeatic vocabulary activities that I love. But they just won’t cut it for my kiddos that need articulation support as well.
So, to solve this particular problem, I have created a set of fall themed vocabulary + articulation/phonological process + task cards. Basically, I’ve upgraded your standard artic card.
Here is how to do this fall themed activity.
1.) Pick the targets that aligns with your student’s speech goals. Print, cut, and laminate those cards. You can store them on a binder ring, or they fit nicely into these task card boxes from Michael’s.
2.) Take some time to teach your student about the vocabulary words on his/her cards. Look at pictures, videos, and discuss the words. This is important, because, as the student hears them in class or at home in the upcoming months, s/he will be familiar with them!
3.) Follow the steps on the cards. Have your student move a clothespin as you complete each step on the right hand side of the card. In the first step, you will model the word for your student. I would do this maybe 5x or so.
Move the clothes pin down, this is the fun section! Have your student touch the circle as he/she says the sound. I would do this at least 5x for each word so that you can get in as many trials as possible.
You could also use pom poms, play dough, dry erase markers, or paint dabbers to mix things up. These fine motor activities are really great for kiddos who need to keep moving their hands!
Finally, move the clip to the last step. In this step the student practices saying the word as independently as possible.
This articulation activity is awesome because, once your student is familiar with the process, you can review and practice all fall long. They make a great warm up or exit activity for your speech therapy sessions!
These cards do all the things a good speech therapy resource does:
- Target multiple goals
- Support different styles of learning
- Are evidence based
- Engage little learners
- Provide a lot of visuals!
I am so excited to have this fall articulation activity for the preschoolers in my life. If you need them in your life, you can find them in my TpT store!
P.S. Did you know I have a YouTube Channel where I share my best tips and tricks for teaching social communication skills? Be sure and check out my list of videos before you leave!
