Why You Should Use Science Experiments In Speech Therapy

Are you considering using science experiments and wondering if it is appropriate for your speech therapy room? Keep reading to learn about why and how you can incorporate science experiments into your speech rooms!

Are you tired of the same old games and worksheets? Another type of activity you can do in speech is science experiments. School-aged students of all ages and levels will love this! They will be motivated by the change of activity and you will love the language elicited!

Why science experiments?

• Motivating
• Fun
• Hands on
• Interactive
• Change from the norm
• Brings in the science curriculum
• Perfect for mixed groups
• Perfect for push-in sessions
• Perfect for center activities
• Perfect for busy SLPs that want to use one material or resource all day/week to work with a variety of ages/levels and goals!
• To just make observations and hypothesis SO much language is required!

But I don't have time to prep and buy all the materials?

There are tons of science experiments that use ONLY materials you have at school or home or you can easily grab cheaply. I have gathered 10 experiments that only require 2-4 materials such as a glass cup, water, food coloring, pennies, paper, shaving cream, and skittles. Think you can get those materials easily?! I don't like messes! I don't have time to clean up in between sessions! That is why I picked experiments that are quick to prep and not too messy for a quick clean-up. If, on the other hand, your school is lucky enough to be well-funded, consider asking for some real science equipment. Microfuges and microscopes, for example, may be something your school already has, or you may be able to get funding to buy some. Lab equipment like this can introduce even more new words into your student's vocabulary, which will be useful if they decide to pursue science as they get older.

What goals can be addressed with science experiments?

• Predicting
• Higher level thinking/inferencing
• Describing
• Vocabulary (tier 1, 2, and 3)
• WH questions
• Social skills
• Articulation
• Fluency
• Sequencing
• Following directions
• And more!

 

When students have fun, they won't mind learning and working on challenging skills. They will also be able to make connections with the material. When they hear the word “observe” or “predicting” they can connect it to YOUR activity and remember how they used those words. This will help with carryover.

Aren't your classroom teachers doing science activities?

You can practice making hypothesis, observations, and predictions with you and they will be ready to transfer that skill into their science classrooms.

 

Want to learn more about my science experiments resource that hundreds of SLPs are already using?

It includes 10 easy to prep experiments. For each experiment:

• A 3-step visual aid with simple directions to follow
• For each experiment provided, follow up activities are provided to address a variety of speech and language goals (wh- questions, cause/effect, compare/contrast, synonyms/antonyms, describing, using vocabulary words in sentences, articulation, predicting, inferencing, and more!).
• Visuals for common vocabulary concepts used in science experiments
• Which articulation sounds targeted? /k, s, f, th, sh, ch, l, r/ in the initial and final positions

How can you use this product?

• You can print just the experiments you need or print all of them and put them in a binder with protective sheets. You can even laminate and bind them together.
• These are great for mixed groups!
• Perfect for push-in or inclusion lessons.
• Perfect as a center activity

What are SLPs saying about this resource?

“This is awesome! I'm always searching Pinterest for hands on activities for my functional life skills classes. I love that the materials are all things that I already have at school too. Thank you!”

 

“I was so excited to see this new activity. I have been incorporating more and more STEM/STEAM activities into treatment because A) it's FUNctional B) motivates difficult-to motivate-students C) it's a current area of focus in my school/district and now one of my professional goals as well! Excited to see how they go with students.”

 

“What fun! These experiments seem not only cost-effective but time-efficient as well. Simple and easy to do. I'll enjoy pulling a few of these experiments out this school year!”

 

“This was just what I was looking for! I can't wait to try these with my students. Fun, engaging, with a science/stem focus! Thank you.”

 

***CLICK HERE TO GRAB THIS RESOURCE FOR YOURSELF! ***

 

I love when SLPs share how they are using this resource in their speech rooms! Feel free to tag me on Instagram!

 

Check out the video below to get a closer look at this fun resource!