Preparing for the Holidays: A Speech Therapist’s Guide to Keeping Communication Joyful and Stress-Free

The holidays are a magical time filled with connection, laughter, and lots of talking! But for families with children (or adults) who are working on speech and language skills, this season can also bring unique challenges. With changes in routine, busy schedules, and extra social situations, it’s easy for communication goals to take a back seat.

Here are some simple, meaningful ways to keep communication growing — while still enjoying all the holiday fun!

1. Keep Routines (Mostly) Predictable

Holidays can turn schedules upside down, and that unpredictability can be tough for kids who thrive on routine. Try to keep familiar parts of your day — like mealtime chats, bedtime stories, or speech practice time — as consistent as possible. Even five minutes a day can help your child feel grounded and confident.

Tip: Use a visual schedule to show what’s coming next — “breakfast,” “decorate the tree,” “visit Grandma,” etc. This supports understanding and reduces anxiety.

2. Use Holiday Activities for Natural Speech Practice

You don’t need to carve out extra time for speech practice — just build it into your celebrations!

Here are a few fun ideas:

• Baking together: Label ingredients (“flour,” “sugar,” “eggs”), practice sequencing (“first, we mix…”), or follow directions (“stir slowly”).

• Gift wrapping: Talk about what each gift is and who it’s for. Describe shapes, colors, and textures.

• Decorating: Name ornaments, count items, or practice prepositions (“Put it on the tree,” “Hang it next to the star”).

These real-world moments make speech and language work feel meaningful and fun.

3. Prepare for Social Interactions

Holiday gatherings can be full of new faces, noisy rooms, and fast conversations. Before an event, talk about what to expect — who will be there, what activities might happen, and what your child can say when greeting others.

Role-play can help too! Practice saying hello, asking for help, or answering simple questions. These mini-rehearsals can build confidence before the big day.

4. Embrace the Power of Storytelling

After each event — a family party, a visit with Santa, or a cozy movie night — encourage your child to tell the story of what happened. Use photos to help prompt memory and sequencing. Retelling experiences helps strengthen narrative language, vocabulary, and memory skills.

5. Remember: Communication Is Connection

If things get busy or therapy time slips, that’s okay! Every smile, conversation, and shared moment counts. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s connection. Keep celebrating your child’s progress (big or small) and give yourself grace.

Bonus Tip: Include Your Speech Therapist

If you’re unsure how to adapt your child’s goals for the holidays, check in with your SLP! They can suggest fun, festive ways to keep practice meaningful during this busy time.

Wishing you a joyful, communicative, and connection-filled holiday season — from our therapy room to your home!