Common Objects for Speech Therapy

I have done early intervention for awhile now and while I love buying and using new and exciting toys, sometimes the most simple objects make the best therapy materials! Most of these are items that you have at home and if you don't, you can improvise! Soup cans for blocks, why not?! Just watch your toes!

Here are some ideas on how to utilize these materials and what skills they target.

Quick Note-when I refer to sounds and words, I am meaning words you can use to model and try to elicit from the child. Check out the requesting blog for ideas on how to work on more imitation and spontaneous language!

1. Bowl, spoon, cup

a. Imitating actions-mix with spoon, drink from cup, eat

b. Play-pretend to feed self, others, baby doll

c. Following Directions-give me, give to, mix/stir

d. Sounds & words-mmm, nom nom, ahh, bowl, spoon, cup, eat, mix, stir, drink, hot

2. Ball

a. Imitating actions-roll the ball, bounce the fall, throw the ball

b. Play-reciprocal play-roll/bounce/throw ball back and forth

c. Following Directions-give me the ball, roll the ball, bounce the ball, kick the ball, give it to,

d. Sounds & word-ball, roll-roll-roll, bounce, mine, my turn, give me,

3. Paper towel roll

a. Imitating actions-roll paper towel roll, put to eye like binoculars, tap it on the floor, put to mouth

b. Play-cause/effect-find items to put in the roll (ball, pompoms, etc)

c. Follow directions-put in, give me, give to, find the

d. Sounds & words-whee, uh oh, whoa, go, mine, in, out, up, down,

*Imitate each other using the roll as an echo*

4. Container with random objects (ie. Tupperware, puffs containers, milk carton)

a. Imitate actions-shake shake, dump

b. Play-cause/effect-dumps items, takes them in and out, top on and off

c. Following directions-put in, take out, give me, give to, open, take off, put on

d. Sounds & words-ugh, grr (stuck), open, in, out, help, stuck, dump, more, mine, all done

*Ideas for fillers-pom poms, bells, straws, cereal, snacks

5. Blankets, scarves

a. Imitating actions-shake scarf, throw in air, move side to side, hide a toy, dance

b. Play-peek a boo, hide a toy, put scarf over head and do “Ah-choo” and let it fall off

c. Following Directions-where’s daddy/mommy/child? Cover the, hide the, find the

d. Sounds & words-aa-choo, boom, silly sound effects, byebye, boo, hi, more, uh oh, where’d go,

6. Blocks

a. Imitating actions-banging blocks together, stacking, knocking down

b. Play-stack blocks, knock down, bang together

c. Following Directions-give me, put on, take off, knock down

d. Sounds & words-uh oh, fall down, up-up-up, on top, more, blocks, all done, mine

7. Toy Car

a. Imitating actions-drive the car back and forth, go over ramps

b. Play-reciprocal play-pass car back and forth, cars race, cars crash

c. Following Directions-drive car, give to me, put the car, put car in the garage

d. Sounds & words-brm, whee, whoa, car, go, drive, more, all done, fast, slow, crash, uh oh

8. Doll or stuffed animal

a. Imitating actions-pat, hug, kiss doll, feed doll

b. Play-feed the doll, wash the doll, dress the doll, put to bed

c. Following directions-feed the baby, wash the baby, put the baby to sleep, give me the baby, give the baby _____, give the baby a hug, give the baby a kiss

d. Sounds & words-shhh, mmm, nom-nom, ahh, aww, baby, eat, drink, night-night, sleep, awake, hug, kiss, bed, bath, hi, bye, mine