School SLP Starter Kit

When I first started as a Clinical Fellow in the schools, I had no idea what I needed to buy or have on hand to start off. I remember going to stores and buying so many materials that I never ended up using to this day. Now, four years in, I have a much better idea of what I use on a daily basis and I hope this can help even one other person who is just getting started.

For Therapy:

  1. Play-doh and play-doh tools
  2. Bubbles
  3. Fidget toys - I love having a pop-it, monkey noodles, squishy mochi toys, pop tubes, and a fidget spinner/cube on hand.
  4. Any small mirror for articulation
  5. Simple board games or card games - I love Uno, Candy Land, Guess Who, Hoot Owl Hoot, and Headbands
  6. A fun pop-up board game - my kids have absolutely loved having board games that “scare” them. Some of my favorites are Greedy Granny, Crocodile Dentist, Jumping Jack, and Picky Kitty.
  7. Articulation word lists or play-doh smash mats - there are a TON of free resources on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)
  8. Farm/barn set or animal set of some sort
  9. Legos or building blocks
  10. A few fun kids books with pictures
  11. Cheap lollipops for articulation targeting - I prefer these over tongue depressors, but be sure to check for allergies and school preferences

When it comes to therapy materials, thrift stores are also an amazing resource to find fun games, books, and toys. Some of my kid’s favorite games are ones I found second-hand for a few dollars!

Apps:

  1. Articulation Station or another articulation app
  2. Boom Cards - there are SO many free resources
  3. TDSnap - Tobii Dynavox allows all SLPs with an ASHA number to have full access for free
  4. GoTalk - another AAC app. You can have 5 pages on the app for free and it’s very easy to customize

Apps are nice to have, but are definitely not a necessity if you do not already have a tablet!

To Have on Hand:

  1. Emergency Kit - I have found that having a travel emergency kit with you in the schools has been incredibly helpful (especially if you work far from your home or the nearest store). You can fill yours with anything you may need, but mine has general medicine, lotion, extra contacts, an extra toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, gum, hair ties, nail file, etc.
  2. Disinfecting wipes, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
  3. Sticky Notes and pens/pencils
  4. White board and dry erase markers
  5. Markers and crayons
  6. Tissues

Angela Vatrano, M.S., CCC-SLP