October TeleTalk Newsletter
- TeleTalk Therapy LLC
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
Some students love to explore and have difficulty sitting still. Here are some ideas to help your student not only get their sensory needs met, but also to practice communicating their wants, needs, and ideas along the way.
Table of contents:
Core board
Ring around the Rosie
Under and over
Spin!
Lights on
These Halloween read-alouds are full of giggles, surprises, and fall vibes! Stories like Creepy Carrots, Scaredy Cat Splat, and Pete the Cat and the Five Little Pumpkins are perfect for practicing language and speech skills. Pause to talk about the characters, describe the scenes, repeat key words and sounds, or ask “wh” questions to encourage conversation. Act out silly parts to make it even more fun.
Links to the YouTube read alouds:
Creepy Carrots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wokAWc-3EVM
Scaredy Cat Splat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRWxy6Ag6E0
Meet October: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wp3haFgcx0
Grumpy Pumpkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAqXjdQ-Yv0
Don’t Draw on this Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb3RohTEbq0
Pete the Cat and the Five Little Pumpkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqbnpf0CQac
This activity works well for any student, whether or not they use a device. All children benefit from practicing and recognizing core words, and you can even include sight words from their list to make it more personalized. Gather as many of the listed materials as you can. If you don’t have everything, try using fall-themed substitutes. Some of the best options can even be found outside! Print the provided core words. If your student doesn’t already have access to a core board, no worries—LAMP offers free printable boards online.
Help your student connect the dots. Every time a new dot is connected, have your student practice their speech sound by itself. This can be a wonderful way to warm up at the beginning of speech practice and get in the fall spirit.
This festive activity helps students practice their speech sounds while having fun! Each part of the picture has a letter that matches one of the Halloween-themed word lists. Students say all the words that start with that sound before coloring in the section.
It’s a great way to keep learning, engaging, and building articulation skills through play.
When we use patterned phrases, like “Ready, set, go,” taking a short pause after saying the phrase can really help give students the time and space to communicate. The pause gives them a moment to think about what comes next and get ready to say it. For example, a teacher might say, “I’m going to clap three times… Ready, set, go… [pause]” and give the student time to repeat “go” or another word. For some students, especially those who have trouble with speech, saying words too fast can be confusing and challenging. Pausing makes it easier to focus and gives them time to respond, whether by speaking or using an AAC device.
Pausing also helps students learn the pattern of the words and understand how sentences work. Another example might be using a snack routine: “First, wash hands… Next, pick a snack… [pause]… Now, eat!” With practice, these small breaks can make students more confident and ready to join in. By slowing down just a little, a simple phrase or routine can become a powerful way to support language growth.
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