Making Virtual Therapy Real: Hands-On Tools for Online Speech Success
Making Virtual Therapy Real: Hands-On Tools for Online Speech Success
When most people picture virtual speech therapy, they imagine endless screens of digital flashcards and kids sitting passively in front of a computer. That was my concern, too. I began my career in hands-on preschool classrooms, where we carved pumpkins, built tents, painted, and played our way through therapy. Translating that energy into a virtual format felt impossible at first. But over time, I discovered that with creativity, speech therapy online can feel just as engaging, interactive, and real as in-person sessions.
The key? A hybrid approach that blends carefully chosen digital tools with tangible, hands-on materials.
Reinventing Hands-On Play for the Digital World
When I moved into teletherapy, I quickly realized that relying on PDFs or flat digital worksheets would never keep a child motivated. So I began building a toolkit that could bring play into the online space:
- Document camera – to show real toys, books, and visuals up close.
- Felt board & quilting hoops – customized with fruits, animals, and seasonal themes for interactive storytelling.
- Mr. Potato Head & card games – familiar, playful items that translate beautifully across the camera.
- Bjorem Speech Sound Cues – visual supports that pair with articulation practice.
- Books & literacy props – favorites like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear brought to life with visuals.
This toolkit allowed me to keep therapy playful and sensory-based, even when working through a screen.
Dynamic Tools for Every Child
Parents often worry: “Will my child just sit in front of a screen the whole time?” The answer is no. The screen is only a window into my therapy space. Children bring their own toys, we pretend-cook meals together, we high-five across the screen, and we use digital platforms like Boom Cards to mix things up.
With older kids, I use Google Docs and quick internet searches to turn their interests into learning opportunities. Sessions are fluid, responsive, and personalized. That combination of structure and spontaneity keeps therapy effective — and fun.
My Speech Bag Today
Over the years, I’ve refined my approach and built a reliable “virtual speech bag” that I keep at my side during sessions. Today it includes:
- Flashcards (used interactively, not passively)
- A rotating set of themed felt pieces (ocean, bugs, food, animals)
- Classic toys like Mr. Potato Head
- Literacy props and storybooks
- Bjorem Speech Sound Cues – visual supports that pair with articulation practice.
- A mix of Boom Cards and Teachers Pay Teachers materials
This balance of tangible play and digital tools makes sessions engaging while ensuring children get the practice they need for real progress.
The Hybrid Advantage
What I’ve learned is simple: virtual therapy doesn’t replace hands-on therapy — it reimagines it. Children thrive when they can touch, play, move, and interact. By blending traditional tools with digital flexibility, I make sure that therapy is not only effective, but also joyful.
Curious what virtual therapy looks like in action? Watch our sessions here ➜ CloudSpeech Stars
At CloudSpeech, our goal is always the same: clearer speech, stronger confidence, and a child who looks forward to every session.