HOW TO INCREASE A CHILD'S ATTENTION SPAN AT HOME: Speech Therapy Activities to Improve Attention

[@mamajones8616]

My three year old struggled so much with many, many sounds. He used few consonant sounds and stuttered terribly as he searched for ways to convey his thoughts - it was very painful to watch him struggle and then give up in exasperation. But within just a few days of starting a handful of your strategies, he mastered /k/ & /g/, then /s/ & /z/, and then /l/ sounds as well. He has come such a long way and is no longer stuttering. Thank you so much for your videos! They have been invaluable to our little guy and our family in general.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

This makes me so happy!!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

[@golillaism]

I’m japanese speech Therapist. your videos are so helpful for me. now I'm stuck in the middle for autism children therapy. japanese youtube has no videos like yours. I'm gonna watch all of your videos!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Oh yay! Thank you!!

[@thirdaccount106]

Do you have advise for learning a second Language? My daughter has ASD and I’m looking to pay for services but I need help planning everything.

[@thirdaccount106]

@golillaism contact me please

[@kmbmartins2006]

You are really passionate about what you do. Your videos are informative, and I am using them to teach my 3-year-old son, who has a speech delay.

[@oc2538]

I feel so awful. These seem easy to do but I'd never ever think to do this at all. Thank you so much for the ideas. 🙏🙏

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Of course you never know until you know! Now you got it!

[@elliesaraipour7821]

From one SLP to another, thanks so much for making all your wonderful videos! I've been applying them as parent resources and therapy sessions during virtual learning.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Yay! An SLP friend! Thank you for watching & sharing! Let me know if you ever have any video ideas or requests!

[@premrenukaushal2260]

Wonderful and very informative videos. I am using the practical tips you are sharing in these videos. Thank you so much!

[@stefanymalvarez]

You have one of the prettiest smiles I have ever seen! Thanks for your videos! Very practical and helpful!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

That is so nice thank you so much!

[@catherineraynor_staff-earl6582]

HI! I am an SLP and trying to sharing techniques to help my 2 year old niece virtually who is out of the country. Your videos have been FABULOUS!!! THANK YOU! THESE are AMAZING!!!

[@madisonharper9050]

I am a licensed SLPA, recently graduated in 2020 now working in home health and teletherapy with minimal support systems (due to the environment and lack of exposure to other practicing colleagues). I love watching your videos to gain techniques and strategies to use during therapy sessions. I am curious about how to decide if an activity is too difficult for a child, or if they simply are uninterested? I have some kids that I will allow to choose an activity and they will open it and run away, then come back and grab something else and run away... at which point I find most of my session trying to keep the child in one place. When do we decide that an activity is too complex? How do you scaffold up and down depending on the child? For example, I have an egg cart that the eggs open and close with different colors inside. I use this to gain joint attention, parallel play, parallel talk, and attempting sorting/matching colors. How can I use this in different ways, scaffolding up and down?

[@klaus2913]

You have a wonderful, vibrant energy level and an intoxicating smile. No wonder you became a speech therapist, because you are made for it! Thank you for all the great tips and video's! They are a life saver for my son!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

This is so nice, thank you!

[@VivienReis]

New subscriber! We're doing OT and SLP with my 2 year old who isn't speaking. She's made some progress in the last 6 months but this has been an EXCELLENT resource to have on top of that. It helps to hear things more than once since a therapy session feels like it flies by with more info than I can absorb. Thank you for what you're doing here!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for the comment! This is exactly what I do this for so thank you for saying that!! I’m so happy it helps! (I worked early intervention for years in home therapy & thought the same exact thing!)

[@Nkiruedema]

Wow... Just wow 😮 I can't wait to do these with my son 💞

[@deborahdelgado1906]

I am not a Speech Therapist but your tips are great. I use them when working with 1 to 1 with toddlers.

[@riazfaiza]

I’m also worried as an SLP! Your videos are amazing 😻

[@adrijana7087]

I wanna be like you. You are awesome and I love you. Thank you for all the content

[@ivanatomic]

You deserve millions of subscribers!!! ♥️

[@TheSpeechScoop]

That’s so nice! Thank you!

[@damen238]

Thank you. Was struggling until I watched this.

[@jennicaanjanettechan7343]

Thank you so much! I really need your videos since I cannot send my child to a therapist because of pandemic. God bless! I'm your new subscriber ☺️☺️

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you for watching & for the comment! Hang in there! You can do it!

[@familythatlearns]

So glad I found your channel!

[@lynnkirby5148]

Thank you for you helpful teaching videos

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you for watching!

[@adnanmalik6244]

Great video, thank you ill try this and post an update 😊. My child is 2 year old but not talking yet

[@TheSpeechScoop]

❤️ you got it!!

[@perspectiveswithzane]

Thank you for making your videos so fun and full of useful facts. My granddaughter loves playing with a bowl of water with liquid soap. She loves making bubbles 🥰

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Love this activity! Excellent idea!

[@dominiquegordon8813]

You are so smart. I love your videos. Thank you

[@TheSpeechScoop]

That's so nice, thank you!

[@DaughterofAriess]

Thank you so much for these videos! They have been such a life saver for my two little guys.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

THank you so much for watching & for the nice comment!

[@nombundubane]

Love your advise!! Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@zeenasaleh7775]

YOU are a GIFT

[@TheSpeechScoop]

[@PriyaYadav-vu2wj]

Hey ma'am Great video I loved it I have a question how can I check the sensory-motor stage in 17yr old child.

[@canceriangal4443]

Great suggestions!! I love your techniques. My son loves to move from one toy to another. Is it ok to switch between different toys or we should stay focused on one toy? He plays with his favorite toys longer.

[@felenavl]

Thanks a lot for your tips! I'm glad I found you:)

[@jgadiane8409]

Thank you so much for all these helpful tips.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you for watching! & for the comment!

[@rickvanwinden9548]

love your video's Very helpful. WOuld love one on focused on receptive therapy and responding to calling there name :)

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Hey Rick! Thank you for the comment! I actually did end up making a video on responding to name - which is here!! So thank you so much for the video request! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWxo6SOe6ymqs0

[@angelamelecio2540]

Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you for watching!

[@MelanieDomingo-m3q]

do you have any new videos? i love it

[@TheSpeechScoop]

New video coming soon!!

[@MelanieDomingo-m3q]

@@TheSpeechScoop omg! Thank you!!!! please make more videos my dear i need it for my baby. God bless you!🥹❤️🙏🏼

[@hennashajdari6825]

i love u! you're so positive and have great tips! thank you

[@TheSpeechScoop]

That’s so nice! Thank you for watching & for the compliment! LMK if you have any video ideas!!

[@hennashajdari6825]

@@TheSpeechScoop i actually have 3 ideas haha. 1. can you make a video on how speech delay effects social skills and eye contact, and how to improve these skills like social interactions with other children or adults. from my experience people doesn't know the diffrence between autism and speech delay. 2 , how to make a child listen when outside? they become more distracted of course and i can't bribe all the time. if you have any tips? 3. my daughter is 4 years old and she can speak 3-5 words sentences, but we are stuck at i want this, or i want to go to, or asks where is the pig? when she wants to have a conversation. beacuse as her mom i know she means the pig in moana movie. but some people might think thats randomly. how can i build here sentences, so we can have discussions. she doesnt answer questions yes , she says i want that. but she can say no. should i read more? can you link som books? or do you have fun games or acticivties i can do? i live in sweden and all they say is " reed more books.... like really"? you make it feel like nothing is impossible and that it will be ok, it just takes time. you make me smile and laugh with you whenever i look at your videos. you make us parents who feel lost feel hope again! so thank thank thank

[@donnabowker1372]

I absolutely love your videos thank you so much

[@TheSpeechScoop]

yay! Thank you for watching!!

[@julia-jy4fq]

Love this so much!!!!!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

thank you!

[@sissyraque8769]

Thank You for posting these wonderful video's! I love them! I am a Special Instructor working with children birth to 3! These videos are a wonderful resource for many of the families that I work with.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Oh wow perfect! You are a blessing to those families as well!

[@arielleanneferrer4209]

Thank youuu please do more many videosss💖

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you! will do - stay tuned!!

[@jomelyngallardo5125]

Hello Ma'am, how about for 24 months old? Im struggling to get his attention to play with me. What can i do? :(

[@sajjadsouba1697]

Please make more video 😢❤

[@megannichols5108]

I am in grad school and I have a young client working on artic. What do you recommend with young kiddos working on artic who also struggle with sitting in front of the screen (for boom cards or books)? I love your videos!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Hey Megan! Great question, this happens a lot. There are a couple of options. I have a little friend right now who I see teletherapy and she has difficulty attending to the screen as well, but she loves LOL dolls so I usually have her bring several LOL dolls to the session and I pull up articulation boom cards that can go by very quickly and in another screen I will pull up in LOL maker game where you get to change the color and outfits of an LOL and we work on trying to make the LOL match her LOL and it usually takes the entire session because we do five words and then I switch back to the only preferred thing she wants to do, or I let her watch 20 seconds of a clip on KZbin of whatever she wants, still using a first/then model. That USUALLY solves the problem, incorporating real toys into the sessions - or they’re favorite things ever!! Find out what toys both YOU & the kiddo have! Then plan a session around that! Bubbles, blocks, little people, etc! The other option would to be spend that time teaching the mom hand cues and having her pretend model them with you and then playing with a child and doing a couple of trials that way - via mom. So that the child doesn’t even necessarily have to interact with the screen - more of you’re just teaching Mom to be the therapist. But usually it’s best if you can just REALLY narrow down to their favorite thing in the entire world - one of my kids ONLY like Pokémon........ so I spend a lot of time each week finding or making Pokémon themed resources so I can use them each week so he will be excited & participate! Some kiddos are easy & will play with anything, as you know, but other kids really need specific interests, or real toys incorporated at least at first!

[@prakrithi87]

Hi, Very useful information. Liked the vedio series. My son produces almost all sounds except the complicated sounds like R and L. He is 3. But he is not able to combine sounds to make a word. He can identify almost many things and says it by pointing along with producing first letter of the word. Can you please create a vedio on strategy to build or say word. Thanks in advance.

[@elliesaraipour7821]

Hi there, speech therapist here. Just want to mention: do not worry about L and R sounds as those are later developing sounds. L is fully mastered by age 6 and R by age 8.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Yes! What Ellie said! & great idea, I will make a video of how to combine sounds!

[@prakrithi87]

Hi Elli, 👍 He can say appa for apple ..since he cannot say l, he just don't say it. Same way many words. And for banana he says only ba ... eventhough he can say na seperately , he is not able to combine and make a word as banana. Says ye for red ... sometimes yed, and ye for yellow. So both i can hear as ye. Fi for fish. Wa for watermelon. He can identify object. But combining sounds is issue. Also my question is what are some list of standard or common word if we teach them, they can tell almost all words.

[@olif3639]

This is so great!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thanks for watching!!

[@ClaireBoevingloh]

Hi, do you know of a Spanish video that is similar to yours?

[@amuworld3948]

The first activity really worked for my son..first time i did that he copied me immediately..

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Keep up the great work!! Repetition is key! Thank you for watching !!

[@BukirwaJackline]

How I can help my baby is 7yrs but the response is bad

[@EarlyInterventionBrothers]

Amazing information! New subscriber...looking forward to future videos!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@lovelygreen22]

what if he speaks and we plays at home and we practice all of this at home. But his school is telling me he won't speak unless it's one on one . Is this my problem normal or common? I'm worried his school is not doing what they should be to help him learn. He is only 2 1/2 3 in a month . Currently in pre school. They told me he doesn't play with kids but plays alongside them. But I've seen him paying with kids in school and when I take him to the park as well. Just confused on what todo.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

This is common. He plays with people he trusts. You won’t grab his toys away or hit and run, but other kids will. He still has plenty of time. Sharing isn’t innate, it has to be taught by trusted individuals, Which you’re doing! It might also depend on his language skills. Can he independently say “no, mine!” When a child grabs his toy? Or “it’s my turn!” This may also play a factor into choosing parallel play vs collaborative play, along w play skill level such as literal and functional play vs pretend play. I wouldn’t worry too much ❤️ he’ll get there if he’s not already!

[@lindostars23]

you have helped me more in the last weekend since i discovered your video! . thank youuuuu. i have a question. .. my non verbal 2 yo is obssessed with numbers and letters. he pushes me , pulls, and grabs my hand even. how could I help motivate him with numbers or letters to learn sounds and sign ? i personally dont think he has autism but it's been mentioned a few times. he has tantrums and its hard to regulate unless i distract or give in, which idk if its ok or not to dok

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Hey Kristina! Thank you for watching and for the comment! I actually have a video on this exact pulling thing!! :) and you could always pull the letters and numbers to your face in order to get his attention to your mouth while you say the sound of the letter/number! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6m4k3ideL14jLs try this for when he pulls! - Also just check out the 1-2 minute 1 tip per day series on my channel!

[@aparedes1122]

Hey.. so I tried the ahchoo trick which works! However he keeps doing it himself with everything (cards, cars, trucks, stuffed toys) Is this good??

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Yes! Haha! See if you can add on something to it - after sneezing car- now VROOOOM! And make it fall off the table / couch, etc! Then once he does that, fade out the Sneeze?

[@lindostars23]

also how much floor time play do you recommend a day? i feel like i do a lot (lol he makes me anyway) but i am sureeeee i could improve

[@TheSpeechScoop]

I always thinks it's best to keep it exciting, short and sweet! try short, 20 minutes sessions, 3-5 times per day!! :) That way you are really working/playing/energetic during that time and they are very responsive! We don't want to drag it out until it's boring and your child is over it... so short and sweet wins the race in this example! :) Thank you for watching!

[@aa1465]

My 2 year has a long attention span when playing alone... but when I try to pay with him, he's not interested in anything I'm doing... its challenging!

[@Nicole-hw3lx]

I searched through your videos (I may just be missing it) how do you get your child to slow down....my 5yr apraxia warrior speaks fast causing a lot more errors?

[@TheSpeechScoop]

This is a great idea I will try to put out some information on this, whether it be a video or a resource!

[@gypsydayle7083]

Me again! What happens when your LO wants to hold whatever toy, and you say no, and they get mad, and don't wanna play? You're supposed to be in control. I try, but give in 😢

[@itziahurtado]

soooo Goooood thank u!!

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Thank you for watching!

[@girlytee2661]

Hi, my toddler is 20 months old. She likes and spends a lot of time lying down and just thumb sucking with her blanket. Other than that she was used to watch long hours of video clips and nursery rhymes the whole day. I cut the videos down to 2hrs/day now. And I'm working with her attention span to get her to speak. Can you suggest any toys/activities that would drag her out her bed? She likes sensory toys but I can't get her look at me if we have too loud toys.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Swings! Gross motor activities, small trampoline, sensory balls, paint, play dough! Painters tape obstacle course!

[@neerajpandey5282]

Maam u r just perfect.my child learner pointing ☝️ by your tips.but pls tell me how to teach imitation.and saying byee.

[@donnabowker1372]

My 4 year old is being asked to know rhyming words he is learning the ginger bread man and he can sing the song but he isn’t sure about what I’m talking about when I asked him what rhymes with man xx

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Try this little rhyme: "mAN,... fAN.. they both say "AN!" "dOG, frOG..... they both say "OG!" with a little clap!

[@jermsbestfriend9296]

Thanks. I've been crying for about an hour because I can't help my special needs kids. Maybe this will help.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Oh that’s so sad! Yes please ask any questions you have and I’m happy to help!

[@tiffany9584]

kelly your stuff that you do its hard to do virtrial COVID-19 is hard but its fine with me but i love your vids :D

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Agreed! Thanks!!

[@lucy6647]

What about kids who won’t imitate that much? I say “ say milk” and the kid refuses or doesn’t feel like it. Basically he imitates very little. Or I’ll say uh oh and it’s a hit or miss if he repeats back.

[@heyitsfrz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@TheSpeechScoop]

thanks for watching

[@pragyagoel4619]

If child doesn't even understand ur instructions....then

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Use daily routine at first like "throw away" or "put in" when doing laundry. Try to stick to two words and model it a few times first! LMK if this helps!

[@alexandreafokken5533]

Love the videos, only issue is your intro makes my stomach turn.

[@TheSpeechScoop]

Problem solved! Make sure to check out a new video to see the new intro’ :)

[@anitamarskamp]

I love your video's 🤩 I have just one tip 😊 maybe you can speak a teeny tiny bit slower? Then it would even greater to listen to. 🫶🏼