First Up! The winner of the Easi-Speak Microphone Recorder from Learning Resources was Colleen Occhino! Congrats! Parent communication is such an important part of therapy. When you work in a clinic and get the opportunity to be see parents each week, communicating strategies and therapy ideas is relatively easy. There is a significant challenge to attain the same amount of communication as a therapist in the schools. With 66 students currently on my caseload, this is one area I always find a challenge. I thought I would share a few things I do to communicate with parents.
For preschool each week I prepare a sheet like this. I can’t take credit for the outline. My fellow SLP, Kara, was using a sheet like this last year when I started in the preschool. I love how she has it laid out and I’ve been using it consistently! This is my sheet for this week. I’m reading Sheep In a Jeep at circle and completing related activities with students. The sheet lists the book and brief description. It lists the IEP/Curriculum objectives targeted. It lays out some other social pragmatic ideas targeted and then lists an easy carryover idea to be used with an attached homework sheet. The bottom part of his page is cut off but it is a big box that I use to write therapy notes and comments. It’s so nice for parents of our preschoolers to have an idea of what we did that day! Many of them can’t go home and tell their parents what happened at speech, so taking the time to write this note is so helpful to them!
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Like these ideas! Our preK program has folders for each child with similar back-and-forth communication, primarily utilized by the classroom teacher/assistants. With my itinerant speech students I get to see parents 2x a week, but with other parents it definitey requires more effort to stay in touch/encourage home carryover.
Where do you get your ideas for the book you are going to read and lesson plans? I have been wanting to start this in my K and first grade classes. I really love the idea but struggle with coming up with ideas.
Hi Jill. THis is one resource I used last year as a jumping off point. I honestly don’t use it much, now that I’m used to finding materials! IT might be good to start with these books as you get used to coming up with ideas. Once I pick a book – I jump on google and check out what crafts or downloads are available on preschool websites, pinterest, etc. Then I just adjust them to meet speech and language needs. Then I think about what areas I will need to target that I don’t have any activities for and start dreaming up theme related ideas. Hope this helps!
http://www.linguisystems.com/products/product/display?itemid=10494
I think my latest post on my blog is some of the homework I send home. I always add a few words about what we worked on that day and HOPE the parents read it!!
These are great ideas! I find engaging parents one of the most challenging parts of the job, but also the most rewarding when it does ‘work’! With 130 children on my caseload this is certainly a challenge that is ongoing!
Gosh 130 students on caseload!! What state are you in? Way too many kids to manage well. I really feel for you as I’m sure you are scrambling just to keep up with paperwork etc. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as that number is insane!!
Jonelle
Great ideas thanks so much.Sharing ideas is so helpful with so little “thinking/creating” time available.
Parent communication has been the one thing I struggle with as well especially since many of my parents are not native English speakers. Thanks so much for sharing these great ideas!
I use something like your Speech/Language Communication Log with my school age students weekly called the Parent Contact Sheet. I write a sentence or two for each student weekly on what we worked on, something exciting achieved, or any behavior issues, and parents have a spot to write back. It works very well and doesn’t take much time! I really like your monthly little half sheets. Why not put together a packet of monthly half sheets for language ideas and a packet of monthly half sheets for articultation practice ideas(I’m thinking ways to practice at word level, phrase, sentence and conversational speech themed per month)? It would be a great addition to your TpT store! Let me know if you do – smweimer11@msn.com
That’s a great idea Shannan! I have them made, just need to pretty them up! Keep an eye out for them!
I know this thread is over a year old but… I was wondering if you had additional preschool parent letters available or for sale? I have a large preschool caseload (40 kids in addition to my middle school students). I am planningfor next year and would really like to increase my communication with parent. Thanks!
Jillian
Njbeach81@yahoo.com
I, too, am wondering if you ever added any additional parent activity letters for home to your store or elsewhere?
Thanks! I love your many, many great ideas and materials. I’ve been doing this for years, but I find a lot of inspiration out there. You are one of my favorites to follow!
Have a great new school year!
-Kymm
I always have that on my ‘to-do’ list! Maybe I will get it done this year!