In this Real Talk SLP podcast episode 108, I share the top toys for teaching CORE words open and closed in your play-based speech therapy sessions. We want versatile toys when picking toys for our preschool and elementary caseload! That’s why the toys I recommend can work on AAC CORE words for open and closed and other speech and language skills

I am sharing some of my favorite toys to teach the CORE words open and close. We know that kids love hands-on learning and using toys. Training the core words open and close are great word pairs to teach in therapy for various reasons.

First, it’s easy to visually show the word pairs in play, especially if you use some of the toys I recommend later in the show.

Secondly, coaching parents to model and work on these words during daily routines and in-play activities is feasible for their busy schedules. For example, you can teach how to open/close the door, a snack container, a toy item, and the clothes drawer.

Thirdly, open and close can be paired with other nouns, so if you want to help a client begin using 2-word utterances, being able to communicate open or close can later be paired with nouns, such as open box, open door, etc.

If you enjoy using toys in your play-based speech therapy but struggle with adapting the toy for different speech and language goals, these toy companion speech therapy cheat sheets are for you! And, if you need help with coming up with targets on the spot, you can reference the toy cheat sheet while working with your clients. We provide wh-questions, at least 24 verbs to use with the toy, tier II vocabulary words, basic concepts, articulation sound words, adjectives, and ten ways to use each toy or game to target therapy skills. Grab your free bubbles toy companion cheat to try these cheat sheets in your play therapy sessions. 

In this episode, I shared about different sets of toys to teach CORE words open and closed. Here is a round-up of the resources and blog posts I mentioned (Amazon affiliate links are provided for your convenience):

• Surprise party boxes or picnic boxes – you can fit mini trinkets or mini printables to have kids open them. Or, stock up on Easter eggs during the holiday season and work on opening and closing. 
• Critter Clinic – 6 doors to open and put animals, mini trinkets, or other smaller items
• Farm house – has doors to open and close.
• Toy cash register – open and close the drawer while working on pretend play.
• Piggy bank toy – open and close, in and out, and teaching colors. Another similar toy is a coin and drop box, which works well for one-step action play and teaches object permanence, colors, and simple counting.
• Melissa and Doug door puzzles. They have a hide-and-seek, a farm version, and wooden latches.
• Learning Resources has a variety of peekaboo sets for teaching open and close as well as colors, naming items, sorting, etc. Farm Peekaboo,  All About Me Houses, Peekaboo Learning Jungle are nice sets
• Battat Shape and color sorter

If you have an engaging toys that you love to use to teach the AAC CORE vocabulary for open and closed, please share in the comments. SLPs are always looking for toys that can work on speech and language skills in a hands on way!

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