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Allison Fors, Inc.

Speech Therapy Tools for SLPs and Educators

How and Why to Teach Basic Concepts

basic concepts speech therapy

WHAT ARE BASIC CONCEPTS? WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Basic concepts are the fundamentals of language and an important aspect of academic tasks and instructions. Being able to comprehend and use basic concepts are the foundation of communicating and comprehending language. Their understanding and correct usage is critical for effective communication and success in all other areas of life, including school. For example, basic concepts encompass: following directions and routines, understanding mathematical terminology, and literacy.

Example types of basic concepts:

  • Qualitative: big, little, same, different, separate
  • Positional: up, down, next to, behind
  • Temporal: first, then, last, before, after
  • Quantitative: more, less, all
  • Negation: not, no
  • Emotions: happy, excited, upset
  • Characteristics: hot/cold, awake/asleep, old/new
  • Colors
  • Shapes
  • Sizes
  • Patterns: stripes, polka dots
  • Textures: smooth, liquid, rough

IDEAS TO TARGET BASIC CONCEPTS IN SPEECH THERAPY:

The great thing about basic concepts is they are common and the base of our language – so you can work on them by doing tons of different activities!

  • Teach pairs which oftentimes are opposite concepts, for example, big/little, full/empty, happy/sad, up/down
  • Model descriptive words: incorporate basic concept words into everyday life. Find opportunities to use basic concepts in the child’s environment and expand their language. For example, if the child says “I’m happy!” you can expand emotional concepts by replying “Yes, you’re excited!”
  • Get physical! Use your body to get “on” the chair or go “fast”
  • Books: Many books incorporate basic concepts. Highlight them or use the pictures to discuss developing concepts. Ask WH questions to encourage use of concepts!
  • Crafts: If you enjoy doing crafts, this is a fun way to work on temporal concepts (first, next, last, before) or discussing textures, colors, shapes.
  • Playhouse: Dollhouses are an easy, functional way to incorporate tons of concepts into play. Read an in-depth post on using a playhouse.
  • Play kitchen: Food is a great way to work on basic concepts, such as hot/cold, colors, textures. Read an in-depth post on using a play kitchen.
  • Wind-up toys: fast/slow, positional concepts. Read an in-depth post on using wind up toys.
  • Barrier games: These types of games are made to work on concepts! Colors, prepositions, vocabulary, and more. Read about barrier games here and download a free one!

SPECIFIC SPEECH THERAPY RESOURCES:

  • Smarty Symbols Basic Concepts Screener
  • Chipper Chat Basic Concepts
  • Basic Concepts Bundle: Temporal, Qualitative, Quantitative, Negation
  • BOOM CARDS Basic Concepts Bundle: Temporal, Qualitative, Quantitative, Negation
  • Basic Concepts Bundle 2: Adjectives, Categories, Social Emotional, Patterns and Textures
  • Spatial Concepts Bundle

Grab a FREE Basic Concepts Sampler!

basic concepts speech therapy




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TEACH BASIC CONCEPTS SPEECH THERAPY

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TEACH BASIC CONCEPTS SPEECH THERAPY

July 11, 2019 allisonfors 4 Comments Filed Under: Early Intervention, Preschool, Speech Resources, Therapy Ideas

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth B. says

    June 22, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    Hi, Allison! I was so happy to come across your resources! My daughter had a developmental evaluation at 13 months, and the assessors said she has a 30% delay in expressive communication. Unfortunately, we cannot afford the cost of state-provided speech therapy, so I have been doing my best to work with my daughter at home on my own. She is now 18 months old. She has a few “words” (actually, the bare minimum to make the pediatrician happy) and several signs. She learns signs fairly quickly, and she follows complex directions. I’m a certified elementary teacher (not currently working), but I know nothing about speech. I am so excited to start looking at your resources, but I am a little overwhelmed. Could you suggest a starting point for me? Thank you so much for your help and all of your hard work!

    Reply
    • allisonfors says

      June 24, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      Hi! Check out this post: https://allisonfors.com/elicit-language-development/ and I love teachmetotalk.com blog posts for parents of younger children.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth B. says

        June 26, 2021 at 2:52 pm

        Thank you! Your post is incredibly helpful. We’ve been reading, singing, and narrating until our voices are hoarse! Your post gives some more direction about how to do those things more effectively, which is exactly what we need. And I will definitely check out Teach Me to Talk.

        Reply
  2. Pamela says

    January 30, 2023 at 11:24 pm

    HI Allison!! Thanks for the post. Would you please provide some examples of IEP goals for basic concepts? Thanks.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Allison! A speech & language resource author who loves the creative process of making therapy materials and clipart, as well as connecting with educators world wide. Learn more about me here! Read More…

Resurfacing this old post because it’s THAT impo Resurfacing this old post because it’s THAT important! 👇👇👇

When teaching phonemic awareness, DON’T add add a schwa to the end of the sound! For example, the first sound in “feet” is /f/ not /fʌ/. Not adding a trailing “uhhh” sound is critical because when a child is learning to blend and segment words to read, they will pronounce the word “fuheetuh.”

It feels natural to add a schwa to the end of a consonant...but don’t dooo it!

This YouTube video shows how all English sounds are produced ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiqUVnXExTQ&ab_channel=SallyCole

Tag an educator or parent 👇

#earlyliteracy #phonemicawareness #speechtherapy #iteachprek #iteachkindergarten
Pet Vet or Doctor Kit • This is a favorite toy f Pet Vet or Doctor Kit • This is a favorite toy for language delays because it’s FUNCTIONAL. Use it to teach how to express feelings and pains - “I feel hot”, “I am tired”, “It hurts here”, etc. Use it to find solutions to problems and learn how all the items help when you are hurt or sick. 

What are your favorite things to target using a doctor kit?

Save the post and tag a friend!

#earlychildhoodeeducator #playtolearn #openendedplay #speechtherapy #earlyintervention #pediatricslp
My go-to, can’t-live-without, best bang-for-your My go-to, can’t-live-without, best bang-for-your-buck toys with younger kids! 

What’s your go-to?👇🏻

All images available in my “Play Room” clipart set.

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✔️ Available at a heavily discounted price.
 
Your time is valuable and limited, so all these resources are no prep, just print-and-go. No cutting, laminating, or assembling is necessary!

I am excited for you to be able to use these for streamlining therapy planning and sending them home for homework.

Most caseloads are diverse, so there are a wide variety of skills included.

I wanted to bring you fresh materials at a great price that you could download and use today >> allisonfors.com/print-and-go-bundle/

Comment below if you want me to message you the link!

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Google is my best friend - but let’s save time a Google is my best friend - but let’s save time and streamline that process!

Have a quick reference system at your fingertips without googling.
➡️ bit.ly/SLPHandouts

The perfect parent handouts for speech and language development.
➡️ bit.ly/SLPAgeMilestones

Still haven’t downloaded the Free Speech Therapy Handouts?
➡️ bit.ly/FreeSLPHandouts

Both the free and paid versions are great for referencing a variety of speech and language milestones and skills, plus using as handouts for caregivers.

#speechdevelopment #speechtherapy #slpeeps #slpa #languagedevelopment #speechdelay
8 LANGUAGE SAMPLE TIPS💡 Save this post and ta 8 LANGUAGE SAMPLE TIPS💡 

Save this post and tag a friend! Do you have other tricks for collecting language samples? 

Language samples often consists of at least 50-100 utterances. They are a great tool to assess and gather data on: utterance length, vocabulary, syntax, semantics, morphology, pragmatics, narrative skills, and comprehension.

Read more: allisonfors.com/language-samples/

Download the checklist: bit.ly/freelanguagesample

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