Speech teletherapy provides an effective alternative for delivering speech-language intervention through digital platforms. By utilizing video conferencing tools, therapists can engage with children remotely, eliminating the need for physical travel to a clinic. This modality is particularly advantageous for families residing in remote areas or those with demanding schedules, offering a flexible and accessible solution for speech and language support.
Teletherapy closely mirrors the effectiveness of in-person sessions, with the added benefits of convenience and adaptability. It allows for the integration of interactive activities tailored to the child’s developmental needs, enhancing engagement and facilitating speech progress. Moreover, conducting therapy within the child’s familiar home environment can further support their comfort and learning.
Key Takeaways
- Speech teletherapy offers therapy through the internet.
- It includes engaging activities and games for skill improvement.
- Speech therapy is provided in a natural setting.
Benefits of Speech Teletherapy for Young Children
Speech teletherapy provides effective speech therapy services online, allowing a client to receive help from home or any location with internet access. Here are some key benefits:
- Convenience: Therapy sessions are accessible from any location without the need for travel, seamlessly fitting into busy schedules. This approach also expands access to specialized professionals who may not be available locally.
- Visual Support: Clients can view their own faces on camera, which enhances their ability to understand and replicate mouth movements during therapy.
- Engaging Technology: Interactive tools and specific toys are employed to sustain client engagement and focus throughout the sessions.
- Consistency: Teletherapy ensures the continuation of speech services even during times when clients may be unwell, promoting ongoing progress and stability in their therapy.
Specific Toys To Consider For Speech Teletherapy
When using speech teletherapy with young children, engaging toys can be a powerful tool for building language skills. Let’s take a closer look at my top five:
Critter Vet Clinic
The B. Critter Clinic Toy Vet Play set sparks a child’s imagination through interactive, pretend play. This portable pet hospital comes with two plush animal friends and features six colorful room doors, each with a matching key. Fill the vacant doors with objects or pictures incorporating target speech sounds. I once placed a puppy in each space for more practice of this CVCV movement. Explore caring for furry patients using the included stethoscope, mirror, syringe, tweezers, and thermometer, all of which store neatly in a rooftop compartment. This engaging set helps reinforce core vocabulary such as “in,” “out,” “open,” and “close” while fostering creativity and language development.
Mini Presents With Surprises
Using the Learning Resources Counting Surprise Party toy in speech teletherapy can be highly engaging for children. Each colorful, numbered box contains a surprise toy, which adds an element of excitement to the session. As you open each present, you can encourage children to describe the toy inside, practicing descriptive words like “bear red” and “two more.” This playful approach keeps the child motivated and focused while developing important speech and language skills.
Alternatively, you could use plastic eggs with mini objects while practicing speech sounds. Opening each egg to reveal a surprise inside allows a child to work on words like “more”, “me”, shut”, and “done”. The best part about this option is you can use materials you likely have on hand!
Puzzles
The Melissa & Doug Hide and Seek Farm Wooden Activity Board is a fun and interactive toy designed to engage young children in speech teletherapy. The board features barn doors that open to reveal different farm animals. As the child uncovers each animal, they can practice naming it and making the corresponding animal sounds. This activity is excellent for reinforcing language skills, such as using words like “open,” “close,” “in,” “out,” “here,” and “there.”
Baby Dolls
Using baby dolls with feeding objects during speech teletherapy is an effective way to promote core vocabulary development. By engaging in pretend play, you can model and encourage the use of specific words like “eat,” “more,” and “done.” For example, when the baby doll is “eating,” you can emphasize the word “eat.” If the child wants to continue, you can prompt them to say “more,” and when the activity is finished, use “done.” If you need to grab their attention, then make the baby cry or burp! This approach not only reinforces these important words but also makes the learning process fun and relatable for young children.
Mr. Potato Head
This classic toy is excellent for building vocabulary, practicing following directions, and working on body parts and spatial concepts like “on,” “under,” or “next to.” Children can choose parts to create a serious or silly Mr. Potato Head. The biggest advantage of using this toy in speech teletherapy is that it eliminates the fine motor challenge, allowing clients to focus more on following directions and making requests.
Concluding Thoughts On Speech Teletherapy
In conclusion, speech teletherapy offers a versatile and effective way to deliver speech-language services to young children. It provides many of the benefits of traditional in-person sessions while adding the convenience of working from home. Through engaging digital tools, tantalizing toys, and visual feedback, therapists can keep children focused and motivated during sessions. Whether through playful activities with a Critter Vet Clinic or practicing core vocabulary with baby dolls, teletherapy promotes speech development in a flexible, supportive environment, ensuring continuous progress even when in-person visits aren’t possible.
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
