At Pediatric Speech and Language Specialists in Scottsdale and Chandler, Arizona, we understand the importance of continuous support for your child’s speech and language development. That’s why we are proud to offer summer camps and specialized programming for speech-language therapy and reading led by certified speech language pathologists! Our speech-language therapy summer programs provide an engaging and fun environment for children to continue their progress while enjoying their summer break. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of year-round speech-language therapy, why kids love our summer camp, the programs we offer, and some testimonials from our happy parents.
The Importance of Year-Round Speech-Language Therapy
Speech and language development is a crucial aspect of a child’s growth, and consistent support is necessary to ensure progress. Taking a break from therapy during the summer can lead to regression and loss of acquired skills. By providing year-round speech-language therapy, we help children maintain and build upon their progress, setting them up for success in the long run. We can also boost their skills by providing extra support during the less structured summer schedule out of school.
Our Speech and Language Therapy Summer Programs
At Pediatric Speech and Language Specialists, we offer a variety of summer programs to cater to the diverse needs of our clients. Some of our popular summer camp programs include:
Kamp Talk A’Lot:
Kamp Talk A’lot is a social communication program for children between the ages of three and eleven held each summer in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. The sole focus of our summer camp program Kamp Talk A’lot is social language skills! This camp can give children a positive summer camp experience while boosting social communication skills. While the children are there to have fun, at this summer day camp, our goal is to improve the social communication and social cognitive skills for each and every child. This camp developed out of a strong need in our community to address social-communicative interaction in an intensive manner.We work on social cognition and social communication so that children can better learn to cooperate with their peers and make new friends. Children are placed in age-appropriate groups and developmentally appropriate social concepts and skills are taught. Each group is developed and led by at least one licensed speech-language pathologist and another skilled educators who help facilitate and build pragmatic language skills through a variety of fun activities such as games, arts and crafts, and even fun water days. Pragmatic language skills that may be addressed include learning how to work as part of a group, think flexibly and “go with the flow”, understand how others perceive them, problem solve, develop effective communication skills, regulate emotions, understand the “hidden rules” and learn how to initiate and sustain conversation. Children practice critical speech, language, and social skills through fun and engaging camp activities. Groups are formed based on age, skill level, and compatibility to promote positive peer interactions.
Summer Reading Boost:
Our reading intervention program offers children opportunities to improve individual skills and learn strategies to succeed academically. We use a multisensory approach to discover how to put the reading puzzle together. Our reading intervention programs are designed to strengthen your child’s skills. Call for a summer placement now!
Fast ForWord® Language and Reading Programs:
Fast ForWord is a reading intervention program that is uniquely designed to help pre-readers and struggling readers by directly and intensively targeting what is holding them back. The program begins by improving the underlying cognitive skills associated with the struggle to read and then delivers personalized, intensive practice across a wide range of language and reading tasks to help students make rapid improvement that continues long after they are finished with the program. This program has a strong focus on phonological processing, working memory and sustained attention, phonemic awareness and phonics, sequencing, academic vocabulary and complex grammar, and guided oral reading support. This program can help you child improve their literacy skills and summer is the perfect time to start this intervention! If you’re interested in learning more about Fast ForWord and how it helps struggling readers improve their skills, let us know! We’re happy to schedule a complimentary personal demonstration.
Why Kids Love Our Speech Therapy Summer Camps
Our speech therapy summer camps are designed to create a fun and engaging experience for children. We incorporate games, activities, and interactive lessons that cater to each child’s unique learning style. By making therapy enjoyable, and creating a positive summer experience, children look forward to attending our summer programs and are motivated to continue working on their speech and language skills.
Summer camp program options for all age groups!
We have programs for children ages:
- Ages 4-6
- Ages 6-8
- Ages 8-12
Benefits of Summer Camp for Pragmatic Language Skills
Attending a social communication summer camp can offer several benefits for children between the ages of four through twelve as they work on social skills. Some of these benefits include:
- Socialization: A social communication summer camp provides an opportunity for children to interact and socialize with other children their age. This can help them learn more age-appropriate play skills and develop social skills such as taking turns, sharing, perspective taking, peer interactions and social thinking.
- Communication Skills: A social communication summer program can also offer various activities that promote communication skills, such as conversation, listening, and storytelling. These activities can help children become better communicators and express themselves more effectively.
- Language Development: Children between the ages of two through eleven are still in a crucial stage of language development. Attending a social communication summer program has the added benefit of being a language enrichment program and can expose them to new vocabulary, language structures, and cultural diversity, which can help them improve their language skills.
- Emotional Intelligence: A social communication summer camp can offer various activities that promote emotional intelligence, such as mindfulness, empathy training, and conflict resolution. These activities can help children develop their emotional awareness, regulate their emotions, and understand and empathize with others.
- Cognitive Development: Kamp Talk A’Lot can provide various activities that promote cognitive development, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. These activities can help children improve their memory, concentration, and attention span.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Attending a social communication summer camp can provide opportunities for children to develop leadership and teamwork skills. Activities such as group projects, team challenges, and mentorship can help children learn to collaborate effectively and take on leadership roles.
- Cultural Awareness: A social communication summer camp can offer a diverse environment that exposes children to different cultures, beliefs, and values. This can help them develop an appreciation and respect for diversity and develop cultural awareness.
- Fun and Learning: A social communication summer camp can provide a fun and engaging environment for children to learn and grow. They can participate in various fun activities such as the indoor “motor room” (it can be 115 degrees outside!) and even a play area for “water day” which can help them develop creativity, physical skills, and social connections.
Overall, attending a social communication summer camp can be a valuable experience for children of different ages, providing them with opportunities to develop social, language, cognitive, emotional, cultural, and personal skills in a fun and engaging environment.
What Some of Our Parents Say About Our Camps
We’re proud of the positive impact our summer programs have on our clients and their families. Here’s what some of our parents have to say:
“Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy Specialists’ summer camp has made a world of difference for our son. He looks forward to attending every year, and we’ve seen tremendous progress in his speech and social skills, as well as his self esteem.” – Emily S.
“My son loves attending Kamp Talk A’Lot summer camp. He loves the speech therapists who have led his groups and really benefits from the small groups. While he still struggles with social challenges, I love knowing that he has a safe place to spend summer break.” -Erin V.
Our speech therapy summer camps at Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy Specialists in Scottsdale, Arizona, offer children an enjoyable and effective way to continue their speech and language development during the summer months. With our range of programs and dedicated staff consisting of speech language therapists and other experienced leaders, your child will have a fun, engaging, and enriching summer camp experience. For more information about our summer camp programs or to enroll your child, please contact our office today!