7 Engaging Ways to Use Stories in Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is a crucial part of many children’s development, but it can be hard to keep them engaged. Stories are a great way to keep kids interested and excited about learning. Here are 9 ways to use stories in speech therapy:

A. Use stories as conversation starters

Stories are a great way to start a conversation, especially with people you don’t know very well. They can help break the ice and get the conversation flowing. You can start by asking the person if they like to hear stories, and then proceed to tell them one of your favorites. This is a great way to get to know someone and get the conversation flowing. You can also ask the person in front of you to tell you one of their favorite stories and use it to get into a discussion with them.

If you’re having trouble explaining a difficult concept to someone, using a story can be a helpful way to illustrate your point. By using an example that the person can relate to, you can make it easier for them to understand what you’re trying to say.

Besides, sharing stories is a great way to build rapport with someone and build. When you share a story, you’re giving the person a glimpse into your life and who you are. This can help the person feel more connected to you and make it more likely that they’ll want to continue talking to you.

B. Use stories to encourage speech

Stories are a great way to encourage speech in therapy. Here are a few ways you can use them:

1. Read stories aloud together and ask the child questions about the story.

This can help them learn new vocabulary and practice using new words in sentences.

2. Act out stories together using puppets or stuffed animals.

This is a fun way to practice using different voices for different characters.

3. Create your own stories together.

This can be done with a simple storyboard or by drawing pictures. Take turns adding new parts to the story.

4. Use stories to practice different sounds.

Choose a story with lots of words that contain the sound your child is working on. As you read, point out each word that has the target sound.

5. Use stories to practice sequencing.

Retell a familiar story, or have your child tell you a story they made up. As they recount the story, help them put the events in the correct order.

6. Make up silly stories together.

This is a great way to practice using different tones of voice and making silly faces.

7. Use stories to practice retelling.

Have your child retell a story you read together, or tell you a story they heard from someone else. As they retell the story, help them identify the main events and key details.

8. Use stories to introduce new concepts.

If your child is working on a new concept, such as numbers or colors, find a story that introduces the concept in a fun and relatable way.

9. Use stories to talk about emotions.

Choose a story that contains characters with a range of emotions. As you read, talk about how the characters are feeling and why. This can help your child understand and express their own emotions.

C. Use stories to help with articulation

When working with a student on their articulation, it can be difficult to find ways to keep them engaged in the process. One way to do this is to use stories. Here are three ways you can use stories to help with articulation:

1. Have the student retell a story.

This can help them practice saying the words correctly and in the proper order.

2. Have the student act out a story.

This can help them with word imitation and Speaking in tongues.

3. Use puppets to act out a story.

This can be a fun way for the student to practice their articulation while also using their imagination.

D. Use stories to improve listening skills

If you want to help your child improve their listening skills, one great way to do so is through stories. When you read aloud to your child, they have to pay close attention in order to follow along, and this can help them learn how to better listen.

Additionally, stories are often engaging and enjoyable, so your child will be more likely to pay attention and focus when they are listening to a story. There are a few different ways that you can use stories to help improve your child’s listening skills. One is to find stories that are specifically designed to help with this skill, such as ones that focus on teaching listening strategies or following directions.

Another way is to simply choose any story that your child is interested in and use it as an opportunity to model and practice active listening. When you are reading the story, be sure to pause occasionally to ask questions or have your child retell what has happened so far. This will help them to stay engaged and really pay attention to the story. You can also use this time to point out any tricky words or concepts that they may not have understood and help them to practice what they have learned.

By incorporating stories into your speech therapy, you can help your child to improve their listening skills while also having fun. This is a great way to practice new skills and concepts in a way that is enjoyable for both of you.

E. Use stories to promote literacy

Stories are a great way to promote literacy in speech therapy. Here are five engaging ways to use stories in speech therapy:

1. Use stories to introduce new vocabulary words.

Stories are a great way to introduce new vocabulary words. When introducing a new vocabulary word, have your child read the story aloud. As they read, have them point to the word and say the word aloud. This will help your child learn the new word and be able to use it in conversation.

2. Use stories to promote imagination and creativity.

Encourage your child to be creative and use their imagination when telling stories. They can make up their own stories or retell a familiar story in their own words. This is a great way to promote creativity and imagination.

3. Use stories to practice articulation.

When using stories to practice articulation, have your child read the story aloud. As they read, have them STOP at each word that contains their sound. This will help them to say the word correctly and improve their articulation skills.

4. Use stories to practice sentence structure.

When using stories to practice sentence structure, have your child read the story aloud. As they read, have them STOP at each sentence. This will help them to identify the different parts of a sentence and understand how to put a sentence together correctly.

5. Use stories to promote fluency.

When using stories to promote fluency, have your child read the story aloud. As they read, have them try to read the story without stopping. This will help them to improve their fluency and confidence when reading aloud.

F. Use stories to expand vocabulary

The most important thing when it comes to expanding a child’s vocabulary is to make sure that they are engaged and interested in what they are learning. Stories are a great way to keep children engaged while also teaching them new words. Here are 9 ways that you can use stories in speech therapy to help expand a child’s vocabulary.

1. Read stories aloud to the child and have them point to the pictures as you name the objects.

This will help them learn the names of objects and also improve their listening skills.

2. Have the child act out the story as you read it.

This is a great way to get them moving and interacting with the story.

3. Stop at certain parts of the story and let the child finish it.

This will encourage them to use their imagination and come up with their own words to describe what is happening.

4. Ask the child questions about the story as you read it.

This will help them to think about the meaning of the words and how they relate to the story.

5. Let the child choose their own story to read.

This will allow them to practice their reading skills while also expanding their vocabulary.

6. Use stories to expand vocabulary.

This is a great way to teach children new words in a fun and engaging way.

G. Use stories to teach social skills

Stories are a great way to teach social skills because they provide context and examples of how to effectively (or not effectively) interact with others. They also allow for discussion and practice of social skills in a safe environment. Below are 9 ways you can use stories to teach social skills in speech therapy:

1. Retell familiar stories

Have your child retell a familiar story, such as a favorite book or movie. As they retell the story, stop them at different points to discuss the characters’ actions and how they made the other characters feel. For example, you could discuss how the Wicked Witch made Dorothy feel when she kidnapped Toto.

2. Make up new stories

Make up a new story together, with your child taking the lead on the plot. This is a great way to practice communication and negotiation skills.

3. Role-play stories

After reading or retelling a story, have your child act out one of the scenes with you. This is a great way to practice cooperation and turn-taking.

4. Compare and contrast stories

Compare and contrast two similar stories, such as two different versions of the same fairy tale. Discuss how the characters in each story reacted to the events and how their actions affected the outcome of the story.

5. Discuss character motives

Ask your child why they think the characters in the story did what they did. This is a great way to practice critical thinking and inferencing skills.

6. Identify emotions in stories

Talk about the emotions the characters in the story are feeling and why. This is a great way to practice identifying and understanding emotions.

7. Change the ending

Have your child come up with a different ending to the story. This is a great way to practice creative thinking and problem-solving skills.