Snack time is already a fun part of the day, so why not use it to build speech and language skills too? Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or SLP, these simple strategies make it easy to turn everyday snacks into valuable learning moments. I do this all the time with my son, Landon, and it’s amazing how much speech practice we can squeeze in without it feeling like work!
1. Name the Ingredients
Before you start making the snack, take a moment to name each ingredient together. This is a simple but powerful way to build vocabulary and strengthen word retrieval skills. The more exposure kids have to words in a natural setting, the more likely they are to use them in conversation!
How to set this up:
As you gather ingredients, encourage your child to name each one before using it. You can lay everything out ahead of time or pull items from the fridge one by one.
Examples:
- Crackers, cheese, grapes
- Carrots, dip, pretzels
Why it works:
This helps build vocabulary and naturally strengthens word retrieval skills.
I include ingredient naming in my Visual Recipe Cards, where kids get to see and say each ingredient right on the printout or cards! You’ll find this in a variety of my products, including my Monthly Visual Recipes, Visual Recipe Cards, Cookie Visual Recipes, and one of my favorites; Snacks & Stories!
This set pairs a snack with a story for even more language-building fun. One of my absolute favorite ones to use all year long is Ocean Snacks & Stories! Because let’s be honest, learning about ocean animals is exciting no matter what season it is!
2. Talk About Actions
Snack time is full of action words! From spreading peanut butter to pouring juice, there are so many opportunities to highlight verbs. Modeling these words helps kids understand and use them in sentences, which is key for language development.
How to set this up:
Narrate what you’re doing as you prepare the snack, and have your child repeat or describe the actions too. You can also turn it into a fun “Simon Says” style game where they act out the words!
Examples:
- “Spread the peanut butter.”
- “Pour the juice.”
- “Cut the apple.”
Why it works:
Focusing on action words strengthens expressive language and helps kids build complete sentences.
In my Visual Recipe Cards, I include step-by-step instructions that highlight action words, making it easy for kids to follow along while learning verbs in a real-world way. These action words are a big focus in my Monthly Visual Recipes and Snacks & Stories collections, helping kids connect language to hands-on tasks!
3. Target Speech Sounds
If your child is working on a specific speech sound, snack time is a great time to practice! Instead of setting aside extra time for drills, you can naturally work on articulation while making and eating snacks. I did this ALL the time with Landon, and it made such a difference! The best part? It feels fun, not forced!
How to set this up:
Pick a target sound your child is working on and find ways to use it during snack time. You can model the words first, then encourage them to repeat after you.
Examples:
- /s/ – “Slice the strawberries.”
- /p/ – “Pour the popcorn.”
- /ch/ – “Chew the chips.”
Why it works:
This provides meaningful, repetitive practice for articulation goals without making it feel like a drill.
4. Use Descriptive Language
Describing food is a great way to introduce new adjectives and sensory words. Talking about how a snack looks, tastes, and feels helps kids expand their vocabulary and express themselves more clearly. Plus, it makes snack time a little more fun and engaging!
How to set this up:
Encourage your child to describe their snack’s appearance, taste, and texture. If they need help, ask guiding questions like, “How does it feel?” or “What color is it?”
Examples:
- “This apple is red and crunchy.”
- “The dip is creamy.”
Why it works:
This expands vocabulary, teaches adjectives, and helps kids express their thoughts more clearly.
5. Practice Asking and Answering Questions
Snack time is the perfect time to practice WH-questions! Kids get to practice both understanding and responding, which is a huge part of social communication. You can start by asking a question and then let them take the lead!
How to set this up:
Use snack time as a chance to practice WH-questions. You can ask your child a question, then switch roles and have them ask you!
Examples:
- “What’s your favorite fruit?”
- “How do we make this snack?”
Why it works:
Asking and answering questions strengthens social communication and comprehension skills.
I love incorporating questions into my Visual Recipe Cards, where kids answer comprehension questions related to the recipe they just made! This feature is included in both my Snacks & Stories and Monthly Visual Recipes, making it easy to work on comprehension skills while enjoying a snack.
Sneak Peak
Want a little sneak peek of what my Visual Recipes are really about? Grab my FREE Pretzel Flowers Visual Recipe! 🌸🥨 It’s an easy, engaging way to introduce kids to following recipes, answering comprehension questions, and using key language skills!
I did ALL of these things with Landon, and they truly made snack time so much more engaging (and productive!). If you’re looking for more hands-on ways to work on these skills, check out my Visual Recipe Cards over at LiveLoveSpeech.com.
They break down snack-making into simple steps with visuals, making them perfect for kids working on language development.
Let me know if you try any of these ideas, I’d love to hear how they go!
For more ideas, tips, and resources, be sure to check out my blog posts. Let's keep making learning enjoyable for both you and your child!
