At the start of every school year, it’s VITAL to EXPLICITLY teach routines. It’s no different in speech therapy. Establishing routines and taking the time to ensure all group members know the expectations and learn the skills to follow the routine will provide a foundation for the rest of the year!
Teaching WAIT to show students how to take turns and also monitor work is critical for continued success in conversations as well as for completion of activities. I like to use a simple table top visual to teach and then cue the wait routine. I place these simple WAIT tents in front of students during group therapy. They are taught to wait their turn by watching and listening for other members to respond/take a turn. When the wait card is removed, the student is taught to take his turn verbally or non-verbally depending on the task.
Additionally, using these wait cards placed on student work when a task is incomplete or a transition occurs prior to the student being fully finished with a task/activity, also teaches and cues that work can wait until a later time for completion. This has proven beneficial for students that struggle with transitions that are not on their terms. It reassures them that the transition is safe and that their previous activity will wait for them.
The benefit of visuals is that their use can be faded and just referenced on those days when the student may be more anxious or during changes or even used for review when routines are broken or fading.
These wait card tents are FREE in my Sparklle SLP Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Grab yours here. Please also consider following my Visuals Pinterest board.
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| FREE RESOURCE for Teaching WAIT |
Additionally, using these wait cards placed on student work when a task is incomplete or a transition occurs prior to the student being fully finished with a task/activity, also teaches and cues that work can wait until a later time for completion. This has proven beneficial for students that struggle with transitions that are not on their terms. It reassures them that the transition is safe and that their previous activity will wait for them.
The benefit of visuals is that their use can be faded and just referenced on those days when the student may be more anxious or during changes or even used for review when routines are broken or fading.
These wait card tents are FREE in my Sparklle SLP Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Grab yours here. Please also consider following my Visuals Pinterest board.
