SLT BLOG: Bringing Autumn to Life: Speech & Language Activities
TODAY'S SLT BLOG IS FROM HANNAH O'NEILL:
As a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), one of my favourite parts of the season is the shift in nature. Autumn brings a wonderful sensory explosion—crisp air, crunchy leaves, pumpkins, and spooky decorations. For preschool-aged children with diverse learning profiles and mixed communication abilities, these seasonal shifts provide a fantastic, natural backdrop for language development.
Whether a child is pre-verbal, using a communication device, putting two words together, or expanding their descriptive vocabulary, autumn themes offer endless opportunities to target speech and language goals naturally through play.
Core Language Targets for Autumn and Halloween
When planning your activities, focus on functional, high-frequency vocabulary. Here are some key words and phrases to target across different ability levels:
Descriptive Words (Adjectives): Crunchy, soft, bumpy, cold, orange, spooky, heavy.
Action Words (Verbs): Fall, crunch, stomp, roll, squeeze, hide, peek.
Social & Pragmatic Phrases: Ready, steady, go!, Boo!, My turn, Oh no!
Spatial Concepts: Under the leaf, in the bucket, on top of the pumpkin.
Engaging Seasonal Activities & How to Adapt Them
1. The Autumn Leaf Sensory Walk
The Activity: Head outside or bring nature indoors with a pile of leaves, pinecones, and twigs. Encourage children to touch, feel, and throw the leaves.
SLT Target Strategy:
For early communicators: Model single words or sounds like "Crunch!", "Whee!", or "Down!" as you toss leaves into the air.
For expanding phrases: Target two-word combinations like "Big leaf", "More crunch", or "Cold air."
2. Pumpkin Exploration (Bumpy & Heavy)
The Activity: Bring in small pumpkins or gourds. Let children feel the texture, lift them to test their weight, and use toy hammers or safe tools to press play dough or decorate them.
SLT Target Strategy:
Introduce contrasting concepts naturally: "Heavy vs. light" or "Smooth vs. bumpy."
Use expectant pauses during play (e.g., holding a pumpkin ready to roll and waiting for the child to look at you or say "Go!").
3. Friendly Halloween Peek-a-Boo Box
The Activity: Place autumnal or friendly Halloween items (a mini plush ghost, a plastic spider, an orange leaf) inside a dark box or cloth bag. Let children reach in blindly, feel the object, and guess what it is before pulling it out with a playful "Boo!".
SLT Target Strategy:
Great for turn-taking and joint attention.
Target phrases like "What's in there?", "I see a...", or social routines like "Peek-a-boo!" to build anticipation.
Top Tips for Communication Success
Follow the Child's Lead: If a child is more interested in lining up the pinecones than counting them, talk about the line and the order instead. Language learning happens best when the child is motivated.
Aided Language Stimulation: If a child uses a communication board or a speech device, make sure their core words (like more, stop, put, look) are accessible while you play with the leaves and pumpkins.
Keep it Playful: Speech therapy shouldn't feel like a test. Keep the tone light, fun, and pressure-free.
