Speech-language pathologists are well known for using picture books for speech therapy. They are also a fun and easy way to boost speech therapy progress at home. When your speech therapist gives you “homework,” we hope that you will be able to fold it into what you are already doing. If story time is part of your daily routine, take the chance to help your child listen for his/her sound and then repeat the word after he/she hears you say it correctly. If there is repetition in the book or if it’s become a familiar favorite, your child can chime in with the target word when you pause. They will get in some practice with their speech sounds and build confidence with early reading skills!
Working on s-blends or /sh/? Here are some of my favorite books that target those sounds!
Books for practicing /sh/:
Shhhh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw and Margot Apple
Splash! by Ann Jonas
New Shoes, Red Shoes by Susan Rollings
Books for practicing s-blends:
Help! A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Go! Go! Go! Stop! By Charise Mericle Harper
Do you have a favorite book for practicing these sounds? I'd love to hear about it! For more speech therapy book suggestions, check out this post with 36 recommendations!
