Cooking Up Good Speech....

with "SpeechSnacks" that Inspire Children to Speak Well and Eat Well!

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Speech Snacks for Home School/ Life Skills: Why Not Try Thai?! {and summer calendar activities!}

The school year is finally coming to an end (and I mean we are literally counting the hours, minutes and seconds–you’d think it was New Year’s Eve and the ball was about to drop down the center of my family room) and the summer is approaching with great anticipation.   This level of excitement and enthusiasm is customary in my household which consists of a school-age son, a speech therapist mom, and a school principal dad living under the same roof!   We are all so wrapped up in the land of academia all year long,  it’s no wonder we can’t wait for a brief respite for just a few glorious weeks!!  This summer we will be taking a well-deserved beach vacation and a few day trips, although after writing this post, I wanted to travel to a faraway destination like Thailand.  I tried this incredible dish recently at a local Thai restaurant (my new favorite place to eat by the way) and was amazed by its simplicity.  It didn’t take long to figure out how to recreate it in my own kitchen, although I did cross-reference a few recipe sites to see if I was on the right track.  Enjoy this little taste of summer and the “speechsnacks” for this week— a summer calendar filled with many of the recipes and speech/language activities I have been posting all year.  I picked a few of the most popular ones and featured them on the calendar so you and your kiddos will have fun cooking together while practicing good speech and language all summer long!—Get your copy HERE!

Classic Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert (Khao Niaow Ma Muang)

If you love mangoes or sticky rice, you will LOVE this classic Thai dessert!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup ‘sticky rice’ OR ‘glutinous rice’, available at Asian food stores
  • ***PLEASE NOTE:  I used short-grain Arborio rice which is used for making risotto. It is very starchy and was a great substitute if you can’t get to an Asian market!
  • 1-2 ripe mangoes, cut into slices
  • 4-5 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 can good-quality (thick) coconut milk
  • water for boiling rice

Soak the rice in 1 cup water for 20-30 minutes, OR up to 4 hours.

Do not drain the rice. Simply add 3/4 cup more water, plus 1/4 can coconut milk, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1 Tbsp. brown sugar. Stir this into the rice.

Simmer for 20 minutes, or until the coconut-water has been absorbed by the rice. Turn off the heat, but leave the pot on the burner with the lid on tight. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes

TO MAKE THE SAUCE:

Make the sauce warm but do not boil.  Add the rest of the can of coconut milk over medium-low heat (5 minutes). Add 3 Tbsp. brown sugar, stirring to dissolve.

Have your kids ever tried a MANGO???? It’s sweet and juicy–the perfect candy substitute!  Try sneaking some mangoes into a fruit smoothie to sweeten it up!  Talk about its OVAL shape and create a list of other OVAL objects.  Describe the COLORS of the mango–there’s more than one color blending together in these beauties—-take out a box of crayolas and try to match up some of the colors to your mango.

To Slice a Mango…there are many different ways I have seen mangoes sliced.  Mangoes have a tough, fibrous pit in the center so this can be tricky!  I know there is a MUCH more professional way to cut one of these fruits, however, I sliced this one up in a very basic fashion.   I peeled the thin skin with a pairing knife and then cut large pieces off the sides, avoiding the center.   Feel free to check out this method:  HOW TO CUT A MANGO   

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👋 Just stopping in to welcome some new follower 👋 Just stopping in to welcome some new followers and share a little bit about  my other account...The Kidz Kitchen @thekidzkitchenofnj , with you. 

The Kidz Kitchen is a unique, hands-on cooking program where kids come together to cook, create, communicate, and collaborate in every class. 🍎👩‍🍳✨

The Kidz Kitchen is more than just a place to learn how to make delicious recipes — it’s the heart and soul of my journey as both a speech-language pathologist and a passionate home cook and baker. 💬🥣 

For years, I created themed snack activities during my speech and language sessions to make learning fun and engaging. What began on my blog, Cooking Up Good Speech and Language (www.speechsnacks.com), has grown into a dynamic, in-person experience where those same ideas have come to life!

Each Kidz Kitchen class blends language development with culinary creativity. We focus on building essential communication skills — like following directions, using rich vocabulary, staying organized, and working as a team — all while making fun and tasty dishes together. It's learning that sticks… and tastes good too! 🌟
📢 We are loving how this SLP is using our Natio 📢 We are loving how this SLP is using our National Speech-Language-Hearing Month product! 💬🧠👂

Check out this creative display outside her speech room where students can cast their vote on whether statements are facts or opinions using our Fact/Opinion cards. 🎉 What an engaging and interactive way to boost awareness of speech, language, and hearing while also teaching a valuable critical thinking skill!

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to celebrate this month in your school? Head over to my TpT store to grab this resource—it’s packed with activities to promote National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in a way your students will love! 💙

Drop a 👍 and I'll share the link,  find it in the profile link.  or head to my TpT store: SpeechSnacks.

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/National-Speech-Language-Hearing-Month-Activity-Packet-1230808
If you follow my other account @thekidzkitchenofnj If you follow my other account @thekidzkitchenofnj, then you know I'm not just an SLP, I'm also "Chef Rose," owner of The Kidz Kitchen--Where Cooking and Communication Go Hand in Hand. My cooking classes for kids teach a blend of culinary skills and communication concepts.

Have you seen the viral AI-generated action figures #aidoll taking over your feed?? — Meet Chef Rose—Collector’s Edition! 👩‍🍳✨ 

We’re jumping on the bandwagon and having some fun by creating our very own AI doll--- complete with our logo apron and some fun cooking accessories!

The real Chef Rose will be in action in @thekidzkitchenofnj this weekend with her amazing Junior Chefs, whipping up a delicious springtime treat featuring flaky puff pastry, fluffy whipped cream, and fresh sliced berries. 🍓🥐🍦
Flashback to Day One in The Kidz Kitchen! It’s Flashback to Day One in The Kidz Kitchen!

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, we opened our doors for the very first time, welcoming young chefs into our kitchen. In just two weeks, we’ll kick off YEAR TWO with our Spring session, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Swipe through these photos from our very first day—featuring Chef Rose (owner),
our amazing assistant chefs Marie and Allie, and our very first morning and afternoon classes of junior chefs! We’ve come so far since that day, learning, growing, and teaching countless kids the joy of cooking.

We’ve learned SO MUCH, grown as a team, and taught so many amazing kids the joy of cooking. From mastering kitchen skills to building confidence and friendships, this journey has been incredible.

We can’t wait to welcome back our returning junior chefs and meet a whole new group of future foodies. The countdown to March 15th is ON—let’s get ready to cook, create, communicate and collaborate!
Feeling incredibly honored to have written a piece Feeling incredibly honored to have written a piece for The ASHA Leader, the national magazine published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association about my business, @thekidzkitchenofnj

As a speech pathologist with years of experience, bringing my passion for cooking and communication together through The Kidz Kitchen has been a dream come true. 🌟

I’m so proud to share my story in this publication and hope it inspires others to follow their dreams too.
👩‍🍳👨‍🍳👩‍🍳👨‍🍳👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

You can view the full article in the bio link.

#thekidzkitchenofnj #ashaigers  #KidsInTheKitchen #CookingAndCommunication #cookingskills #cookingwithkids #CommunicationSkills #CulinaryAdventure #kidscookingschool #childrensculinaryinstitute #kidscookingactivities #kidscancook#slpeeps #slpsoninstagram #slpsofinstagram #slps #slpsontpt  #executivefunctioning  #schoolslp #cookingwithkids #slpsontpt #speechlanguagepathologists #languagechefs #cookingupgoodspeech #cookingintheclassroom #slpbloggers #lifeskillsforkids #instaspeech #instaslps
✨DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?✨ (A marshmall ✨DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?✨ (A marshmallow one, of course!) ☃️❄️

Skip the store-bought hot chocolate and make the winter season extra special! Teach your students how to whip up super simple, homemade hot chocolate while exploring tons of language concepts along the way in my LANGUAGE-RICH RECIPE RESOURCE: LANGUAGE CHEF!👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

This activity is perfect for warming up your sessions after the holiday break and is a ⭐️FREE⭐️ resource in my TeachersPayTeachers store!

☕️ Fun. Engaging. Educational.
Want to check it out? ❄️ Link in my bio or drop a ☃️ below, and I’ll send you the link!

#HomemadeHotChocolate #slpeeps #slpsoninstagram #slpsofinstagram #slps #slpsontpt #executivefunctioning #schoolslp #ashaigers #middleschoolslp #cookingwithkids #speechlanguagepathology #teacherspayteachers #languagechefs #cookingupgoodspeech #cookingintheclassroom #slpbloggers #homemadetreats #kidapproved #nobaketreats #nobakedesserts #kidsnacks #speechsnacks #executivefunctioningskills #instaspeech #schoolslp #slpsoninstagram #slpsofinstagram #speechsnacks #cookingupgoodspeech #snowmansoup #speechlanguagepathology #sped #cookinginspeech
DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWFLAKE⁉️❄️❄️ DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWFLAKE⁉️❄️❄️❄️
.
We created a winter wonderland in tne speech room while working on DIRECTION FOLLOWING, SEQUENCING, AND VOCABULARY, (symmetrical, unique, secure, seasonal) , /s/ and /s/ blends.
.
This craft is called an ARIZONA SNOWFLAKE. Can you figure out why??? I asked my students to tell my why they think this is the name. Some struggled, so I gave them clues to help them reason through and connect the dots. 
.
For this project you will need 8 paper lunch bags. Secure them together with a bead of glue down the middle of each bag ( I chose to do this part by hot gluing them but a good glue stick will als do the job.) The students needed to make sure the bags were neatly layered directly on top of each other and all facing the same direction). Next they drew a pattern on one half of the bag and made a symmetrical design on the opposite side. They used scissors to cut through the layers of bags ( with assistance if needed). They opened and spread out the bags from each end.... and like magic.... our SNOWFLAKE came to life!! 
.
This low cost, low prep activity has been a hit with my older students. Have fun making snowflakes in speech this holiday season!!
.
.
#speechlanguagepathology #slpsoninstagram #slps #speechtherapy #schoolslp #ashaigers #slpsontpt #slpbloggers #instaslps #instaspeech #slpsoninstagram #slpsofinstagram #middleschoolslp #seasonalcrafts #snowflakecraft #craftsinspeech
🚨 HOLIDAY ALERT! 🚨 Are you "hungry" for fres 🚨 HOLIDAY ALERT! 🚨 Are you "hungry" for fresh ideas to add fun, functional communication to your therapy sessions or classroom?

🌟 LANGUAGE CHEF has you covered with simple, multisensory, language-rich recipes that will keep your students motivated and engaged this holiday season!

🎅 Here's what's on the menu:
✅ Rudolph Apple Slices
✅ Grinch Hearts
✅ Snowman Bagels
✅ Reindeer Sandwiches
✅ Snowy Popcorn
✅ Grinch Fruit Kabobs
✅ Veggie Bagel Ornaments
✅ Snowman Hot Chocolate
✅ Holiday Cookie Bites … and MORE!

Drop a 🎄 for the link to these recipes and all the language extension activities in the WINTER EDITION of LANGUAGE CHEF!

Let’s start cooking up good speech and language together this holiday season!

#slpeats #speechsnacks #instabaker #cookingwithkids #cookingupgoodspeech #bakersofinstagram #fallbaking #instaspeech #instaslps #slpsoninstagram #cookingwithkids #schoolslp #ashaigers #fallcookies #sped #lifeskillsforkids
WHAT A DILLEMA‼️I try to guestimate correctly, WHAT A DILLEMA‼️I try to guestimate correctly, but every year I seem to buy more candy than I need! So now what do I do with it all? 😕

A. Bring it to work for my students and coworkers?
B. Throw it out?
C. Bake up some 
CANDY BUCKET COOKIES❓️‼️🍫🪣🍪

If you guessed C, you are correct! Although A and B would probably be better for my health, the creative, sugar-addict side of me is winning this battle.

This recipe is a great way to support DIRECTION FOLLOWING, SEQUENCING SKILLS, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and SO MUCH LANGUAGE! 
.
Here's the recipe:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups leftover Halloween candy (chopped)
Beat butter and sugar until smooth....beat in vanilla and eggs...add flour, baking soda and salt...slowly stir in candy pieces...plane 2 tablespoon scoops of dough onto cookie sheet spaced 1 inch apart...press extra candy pieces on top of each scoop....bakes at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes until browned around edges....let cool 5 minutes....enjoy!!!!!🍪👨‍🍳🍪👩‍🍳
.
#slpeats #speechsnacks #instabaker #cookingwithkids #cookingupgoodspeech #bakersofinstagram #fallbaking #instaspeech #instaslps #slpsoninstagram #cookingwithkids #schoolslp #ashaigers #fallcookies #sped #lifeskillsforkids

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  • Learn a variety of spring-themed vocabulary while playing a mathematical game!  Sentence examples and graphic organizer included.
  • Your students will love these fun April Fool's practical joke scenarios! Predict what might happen next and and identify feelings with this fun product.
  • This fun language game contains a collection of "green things" that can be used in several different ways: for RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE: Give your student THREE clues or THREE adjectives describing an object and ask them to guess the object. (played similar
  • FREE!  I've created a craftivity (or cork-tivity!) for St. Patty's Day that can be used as a speech and language reinforcer--something for all ages/ability levels.
  • You've heard of Trip Advisor® , a tool that helps you plan your next vacation. Now you can work on language skills while taking a vacation to the Emerald Isle!  Great for middle/high school students!
  • Help your older students identify and define figurative language concepts with this fun St. Patty's Day activity
  • A snack fit for an Olympian! Easy to make with your speech students. Great for direction following and sequencing (plus a few comprehension questions included!)

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Cooking Up Good Speech

4 weeks ago

Cooking Up Good Speech
How cool is this?! An AI-generated podcast was created all about my business, The Kidz Kitchen of NJ, citing the article I recently authored in The ASHA Leader, and sharing how it all began with my blog, www.speechsnacks.com, and my digital language-based recipe resource, Language Chef. Give it a listen if you’re curious! notebooklm.google.com/notebook/3a2308fd-f423-4551-968a-e774106d95f3/audio ... See MoreSee Less

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Cooking Up Good Speech

4 weeks ago

Cooking Up Good Speech
📢 We are loving how this SLP is using our National Speech-Language-Hearing Month product! 💬🧠👂Check out this creative display outside her speech room where students can cast their vote on whether statements are facts or opinions using our Fact/Opinion cards. 🎉 What an engaging and interactive way to boost awareness of speech, language, and hearing while also teaching a valuable critical thinking skill!Looking for a fun and meaningful way to celebrate this month in your school? Head over to my TpT store to grab this resource—it’s packed with activities to promote National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in a way your students will love! 💙https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/National-Speech-Language-Hearing-Month-Activity-Packet-1230808 ... See MoreSee Less

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Cooking Up Good Speech

4 months ago

Cooking Up Good Speech

Cooking Up Communication in a Kitchen Classroom

leader.pubs.asha.org

An SLP uses culinary instruction to build children’s vocabulary, problem-solving, and language skills—while they connect socially.
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Cooking Up Good Speech "" updated their status.

4 months ago

Cooking Up Good Speech

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Cooking Up Good Speech

8 months ago

Cooking Up Good Speech
Did you know September 19th is "Talk Like A Pirate Day?" A pirate theme is fun any time of year, especially when September is often too warm to think about pumpkin spice! It's a great theme for Halloween and the summer months as well!Pirate Snack Mix is a step-by-step visual recipe (using full-color photos) for addressing communication skills with all ages and ability levels from my recipe resource ©LANGUAGE CHEF. This activity includes the following:•lesson plan page•full-color step-by-step recipe VISUALS (using real photos)•written directionsFollow-up language extension activities:•Rate the Recipe feedback sheet•Recalling & Sequencing the recipe steps (visual activity)•Recipe Summary Organizer (written activity)•Pirate Mix Memory Game•Talk the Plank! Walk the Plank! Vocabulary game for younger students•Pirate Language Loot Vocabulary game for older studentswww.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/LANGUAGE-CHEF-PIRATE-EDITION-Language-Skills-Cooking-Visual-R... ... See MoreSee Less

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