Therapy Theme: December (Gingerbread, Christmas)
December Speech Therapy
My favorite theme for speech and language therapy in December is The Gingerbread Man! I have lots of ideas for books, read alouds, songs, child led play, toys, and games to use with this fun theme.
Lesson Plan
Grab this Lesson Plan Page filled with links to freebies, toys, books, read-alouds and more! This works well for preschool and early elementary students.
Therapy Ideas
In December, I love to use toys, books, and games in child led play as much as possible. When structure is needed or helpful, I include this as well. One of my favorite things to do at home is a good, old fashioned Gingerbread House. I let my kids freely decorate this and make a BIG mess. This activity brings out lots of natural language and gives me the opportunity to model gestalts for my Gestalt Language Processor.
“It’s so much fun!”
“Let’s put more peppermints.”
“It’s too sticky!”
“Look how many pieces we can fit!”
Favorite Books
I love including books in my sessions and at home. A couple of recent favorites are Moosletoe and Ten Jolly Gingerbreads. My kids and students love the repetition of Ten Jolly Gingerbreads and moving the interactive pieces in and out of the book.
Here are some book ideas by theme.
Christmas Theme:
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Click, Clack Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin
Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Lucille Colandro
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
Mooseletoe by Margie Palatini
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean
Gingerbread Theme:
The Gingerbread Man Adapted by Elizabeth Hepler (e-book Boom Cards)
The Gingerbread Man Lost in the School by Laura Murray
Where is the Gingerbread Man? by Elizabeth Hepler (Free adaptive book & Boom Cards)
Ten Jolly Gingerbreads by Elizabeth Hepler (adaptive book and interactive book of Boom Cards)
How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace
Hannukah Theme:
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
The Night Before Hanukkah by Amy Wummer
Read Alouds
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Songs and Movement Breaks
Printables Activities
My winter “Feed Me” characters have been a big hit! You can find characters for all of winter and the holidays that go along. We use these for feeding articulation cards, arts/crafts, simple directions, child led play, and more!
Gingerbread Man Book Companion (FREE)
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas Companion
Old Lady Bell Book Companion
Digital Activities
Gingerbread Artic Boom Cards (FREE)
Gestalt Language: It’s Christmas
Old Lady Dressup Boom Cards (FREE)
Favorite Toys and Games
Counting Surprise Boxes : Pictured above- perfect for peeking inside, hiding things from your activities, or using mini objects for speech sound.
Magnetic Wands for Bingo Chips: pair these with winter dot art for fun and easy clean up.
Step 2 Gingerbread Set: this classic toy brings a Gingerbread Theme to life.
Melissa & Doug Snowman: built to last…and loads of fun!
Kidkraft Hanukkah Set: a great way to share a variety of holidays.
Happy December, everyone!!!
Elizabeth
