Cooking Up Good Speech....

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

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COOKING UP GOOD SPEECH & LANGUAGE– FOOD FOR THOUGHT: CRITICAL THINKING

pictured: Language Chef Allie!

CRITICAL THINKING is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in a rational and logical manner to make well-informed decisions or judgments. Many of the students we serve on our caseloads and teach in our classrooms need to strengthen this higher-level language skill area. When applying CRITICAL THINKING to teaching children how to cook, first consider their age, skill level, and prior knowledge. Always start with simple recipes and concepts and gradually progress to more complex ones as they build their cooking abilities. Let’s look at several ways cooking can help strengthen CRITICAL THINKING skills!

#1—Problem-solving:

While cooking, children might encounter unexpected challenges, such as missing ingredients or utensils. They must think on their feet, come up with creative solutions, and adapt their approach to resolving the issues.

#2—Cause and effect:

Cooking allows children to see the direct results of their actions. For example, if they add too much salt, they will taste the consequences; if they put solid butter in the microwave for several seconds, it will get hot and melt. This helps them grasp the cause-and-effect relationship and learn from their actions, choices, and mistakes.

#3—Inferencing:

Cooking a recipe requires more than just following the instructions word for word; it often involves making inferences based on context and prior knowledge. Here are some examples of how a child might need to make inferences while cooking a recipe:

  • Ingredient substitutions: If a child realizes they’re missing a particular ingredient while cooking, they may need to infer a substitute that will work in place of the original ingredient. ie: “Can I substitute white sugar for brown sugar” or “Can I use oil in place of butter?”
  • Adjusting cooking times: Sometimes recipes provide approximate cooking times. All ovens and microwaves are different, so even though the directions may tell you to heat in the microwave for one minute, you should infer the need to adjust cooking times based on observing the appearance and doneness of the ingredients.
  • Seasoning to taste: Many recipes provide specific measurements for seasonings, but taste preferences differ. A child might need to infer when to trust their taste buds and adjust the seasoning levels to suit their preferences.

#4– Analyzing the foods and recipes:

  • Ask children to compare and contrast various cooking methods for specific dishes.
  • Have them analyze the impact of different ingredients on the taste and texture of a dish.

#5– Experimentation and creativity:

  • While following a recipe, children can also experiment with different ingredients or flavor combinations, fostering their creativity and encouraging them to think critically about the potential outcomes.
  • Challenge children to create their own recipes or modify existing ones with new ingredients or techniques.
  • Encourage them to plan and prepare a meal from start to finish, incorporating various dishes that complement each other.

#6–Safety awareness:

Cooking may involve working with hot items and sharp tools. Children develop critical thinking regarding safety measures and learn to assess risks while working in the kitchen.

#7– Observation and sensory perception:

Cooking engages all the senses – taste, smell, touch, sight, and sometimes even sound. Children learn to observe the changes in ingredients as they cook, understand how flavors develop, and rely on their sensory perceptions to adjust the dish as needed.

#8– Evaluate the outcome:

Let children taste their own creations and assess the quality of their cooking based on the recipe’s outcome. Encourage them to evaluate the results. I have my students “rate the recipe” by asking them “How challenging was it to make?” ” How good did it taste?” “How likely are you to make it again?” We use a visual rating scale (found in my LANGUAGE CHEF resource).

So the next time you step into the kitchen to prepare a meal at home with your children, or if you are an educator thinking about making a recipe in your next classroom lesson or therapy session, remember that cooking not only teaches kids life skills but also CRITICAL THINKING skills!

Interested in using a COOKING THEME to address communication skills in your classroom or therapy setting? LANGUAGE CHEF can help! LANGUAGE CHEF–The Ultimate Language-Based Recipe Resource allows you to use CRITICAL THINKING strategies. The set of open-ended “Comprehension and Conversation” question task cards included in this resource utilizes Bloom’s Taxonomy and poses questions about the recipes from all levels of the hierarchy: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. So many opportunities to practice LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, and CRITICAL THINKING!!

I can’t wait to start “Cooking Up Good Speech and Language” with you and your students!

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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.
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Cooking Up Good Speech

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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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