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Early Intervention Speech Therapy

Fall Fun: Using Seasonal Themes to Enhance Therapy

Published October 21, 2008 8:28 AM by Stephanie Bruno
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For this post, I've decided to have some FUN! It's AUTUMN! The weather is changing and the leaves are falling. I love planning therapy lessons during this time of year. It can be so easy and I thought I'd share some of the activities that I use and the kids adore!  

Below are FUN Fall Ideas for Therapists and Parents to "spice up" their daily routines:

  • Play Doh with Fall Cookie Cutters: Choose Fall colors like red, yellow and orange Play Doh. You can also make homemade Play Doh and flavor with scents like vanilla and cinnamon.
  • Bake Cookies with Fall Cookie Cutters: Shapes to look for include leaves, apples, acorns, pumpkins, etc. Don't forget the Fall colored sugar sprinkles to decorate!
  • Go for a Nature Walk: Look for items such as acorns, pine cones and different colors and varieties of leaves. Name the colors and talk about how they feel (i.e. bumpy vs. smooth).
  • Do a Leaf Rub: Use paper and crayons to make fun, simple and beautiful leaf rubs. Put the paper on top of the leaf and rub the crayon over to create the leaf impression on the paper.
  • Big Pumpkin with Fall Objects: Use a plastic pumpkin to fill with Fall-themed toys and objects. Kids love digging into containers to find hidden treasures and this is a great way to build their Fall vocabulary!
  • Apple/Pear Prints: Cut apples and pears in half and dip into Fall-colored paint to make festive painted prints.
  • Make Apple Sauce: Core and cut 3-4 apples, mash and blend. Add water and cinnamon to flavor and enjoy a yummy Fall delight!
  • Fall Collage Scene! Using stickers, magazine pictures, etc. make a collage of Fall "stuff". I like to put the stickers and pictures into a little plastic pumpkin and have the child chose one item at a time, name it and then paste or stick it onto their paper.

In addition to being FUN, I believe activities like this are important because you are using vocabulary that is pertinent to the child's environment and the season. You can incorporate so many skills to address both receptive and expressive language, as well as feeding, oral motor and articulation.

Please write in and share your festive ideas to spice up Fall therapy sessions!

posted by Stephanie Bruno
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5 comments
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Last October when I first began writing this blog, I wrote a post entitled: Fall Fun: Using Seasonal
September 22, 2009 9:53 AM

So glad that people are finding the Fall therapy ideas helpful!! I hope people will write in with more ideas for the upcoming holidays.  

p.s. I love the "Pin the Nose on the Witch" idea!! Thanks for sharing!
stephanie , blog author October 28, 2008 9:31 PM

Thank you for the blog.  I have been sharing the lists of things to do at home, both the global speech and language enhancement ideas as well now the seasonal ideas-pumpkin pie scented play-dough is a new one!  Great.  Parents seem appreciative to have something to do.
Cheryl , Birth-Three - SLP, Home Program October 22, 2008 3:06 PM
Fountain City WI

One of the best ideas I have read lately is to play "Pin the nose on the witch". This comes from Megan Miller's interactive book, HOO, HOO - Who Is In My Tree. Although the CD with the book has the witch and nose you can create your own by copying a large witch without the nose and then create a nose. To make it easier to use and also to create a sensory experience you can put a velcro border around the edge of the picture so the blindfolded child can feel in the middle. Then, instead of using a pin, use a large velcro square so the child can feel the rough side where the nose should go. Use the soft side of the velcro on the back of the nose. Let the children take turns feeling and finding where to put the witch's nose and see if the nose is upside down or sideways. The children love it!
Lavelle Carlson October 22, 2008 10:43 AM

Thanks for the post. Just last night I made a big batch of pumpkin pie scented play dough. It generated so much language! My elementary school age kids asked many questions, made comments, exclamations and more! I love seasonal activities, because they go home excited about what they've learned. I always include a few big words and that boosts confidence.
julee, SLP October 21, 2008 7:18 PM
Sanford NC

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