Back to School & Speech Therapy
For many speech pathologists, back to school means new students and new goals to target! For many parents, back to school means getting their child back into a routine and adjusting to new teachers and providers working with their child. Here is a guide to make the transition back to school a bit easier for everyone!
For Speech-Language Pathologists
We love to get to know our students! Spend your first session of the school year establishing speech rules, building rapport, reviewing goals and establishing a line of communication with families.
Establish “Good Listening Rules”
The Good Listening Rules are the foundation for good behavior in my speech room and act as a positive behavior management strategy. I begin by prompting students to define what a good listener is. We create a list of rules that good listeners should follow during speech sessions. Rules can be simple for younger students or complex for older students. Have one student write down the rules and review them at the beginning of each session so that your expectations are clear. Provide models and prompting as necessary. At the end of each session, students can earn a good listening check to work towards a reward or prize. When they earn ten good listening checks they can earn their reward.
Rewards can range from homework passes, positive notes home, allowing the student to pick a special game or a trip to the prize box. Students may not earn a good listening check every session, they have to earn it! Other times, students may loose a good listening check, this meaning a check is erased because they did not follow the rules.
To build rapport there are many activities to connect with your students and to get to know them better. My favorites include board games and crafts! These activities are fun and motivating. Before taking a turn in a game have the student answer an all about me question to earn their turn. This could also be done while completing a craft. Each time a student answers a question about themselves, they can earn the next piece in the craft. For older students, have them write their responses using a pencil and paper or even a whiteboard.
Below are links to some FREE first day of school resources
All About Me Board Game (Grades K-2)
All About Me Worksheet (Grades 1-4)
Back to School Checklist (Grades 2-6)
All About Me Craft (Grades 4-12)
Family involvement is an important key to successful therapy. Building a relationship with a student’s family contributes to growth in therapy. In the beginning of the school year, make sure to send a note home introducing yourself and most importantly be sure to include your contact information. Include your teaching mission and expectations.
Ask parents to send in the speech notebook from last year if they still have it or ask them to send in a new one to keep speech work organized. The speech notebook is an excellent way to keep an open line of communication with parents. For school-age children, I like to allow them to pick a sticker to put on their notebook each time they bring it to a speech session.
FREE Sample Introduction Letter
Back to School Support for Parents
The start of school is the most exciting time of the year for students!
They want to meet their teachers, catch up with their friends, and begin exploring a whole new world of knowledge. As exciting as these first weeks of school are, your children can't do this on their own. They need your help to get ready—now and every day. Heres how you can help:
Reach out to teachers: Attend meet-the teacher night, orientation, or other welcome events! Introduce yourself and learn about class activities and expectations for the year. Find out how each teacher prefers to communicate. Notify the teacher of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. This allows them to focus on any areas of concern you might have. Lastly, ask them for their extra help schedules to utilize all additional support they offer.
Set a schedule: Establish routines for school days, such as consistent waking times and getting-ready patterns. Decide on a regular homework time and create a comfortable, quiet work space. Set bedtimes that allow elementary-age kids to get 10 to 12 hours of sleep; teens should get 8½ to 9½ hours.
Use a calendar: Stay on top of everyone's school, activity, and work schedules using a planner, calendar or reminders in your smartphone. Check your child’s backpack everyday to check for letters home and parent handouts.
Get involved: With help from parents like you, your school can offer many more programs and services for your kids. Join your school's PTA and ask about volunteer opportunities in the school community and your children's classrooms.
