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2015 PAL Awards
Play on Words speech and language expert Sherry Artemenko recognizes exceptional toys, games and books that encourage language, spark fun and invite creative play.
all PAL Award winners
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Win a PAL Award for toys, books & games:
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video toy reviews
Video reviews of our PAL Award winners with tips on how to advance language through play • see PAL tips... ►
See more video reviews... ► Sherry, thank you so much for working with my girls for so long. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, insight and professionalism made our experience so meaningful. My husband and I appreciate all you have done for them. Let’s keep in touch. Thanks again.
Mother of 3 and 5 year-old girlsGreenwich, CTThank you Sherry! You are a BIG help and Max adores you.
Maria, mother of a 5 year-old boyFairfield, CTSherry, thanks for giving us back our son. We are so grateful for everything you did for Ben and our family. Not seeing you every week makes me feel that something is missing… but we look forward to a summertime walk! We miss you,
Nicole, mother of 2 year-old boy who was dismissed from therapyWestport, CT
Category Archives: Language
5 Ways To Build Language Skills, Playing With A Puzzle
Parents don’t typically consider a puzzle to be a language learning toy. Sure, it’s great to build fine motor, and spacial relationship skills but how does language fit in? When parents join the play, it ups the level of learning … Continue reading
Take the “Disney Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon” to Articulation Therapy
Wonder Forge makes such creative and engaging games for preschoolers, loaded with language learning! Their latest PAL Award winner, “Disney Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon” is loads of fun for little girls and encourages some language learning as players have … Continue reading
30 Year-old Legos Excite Speech Therapy Kids
As you know, I find myself with several 5-8 year-old boys on my caseload and they are wild about legos. My little friend ran upstairs this morning to pour over his lego catalogue with me, showing me that the picture … Continue reading
Let’s Teach “She” and “He”
More on yesterday’s topic of teaching personal pronouns to preschoolers. I had a session today with my little girl who is also working on he/she and his/her. She loved the Fisher Price Happy Family set which has many girls. I … Continue reading
How Do You Teach Pronouns to a Preschooler?
As you know, I enjoyed speaking to masters students in speech pathology at Northwestern University about a week ago. I really like to share ideas on how to make therapy fun and effective with the best toys. I received the … Continue reading
“Finger Peeps” Puppets Can Build Language in Speech Therapy
I have shared several “Artzooka” make-and-play kits by Wooky Entertainment. They are colorful, fun, creative and fairly simple to assemble for pretend play and language learning. Last week I brought their newest kit to a therapy session and my little … Continue reading
Teaching Northwestern University SLP’s How To Choose Best Toys
Last Friday I had the privilege of speaking at my alma mater, Northwestern University to their first year masters degree students in speech pathology. It all started when I received a note from one of their assistant professors telling me … Continue reading
Best New Toys to Develop Speech and Language
It’s spring–I think! New flowers, new buds, and new toys. I have tested so many new products for the PAL Award in these past few weeks that I want to share some favorites that stand out for having the potential … Continue reading
Spring, Time To Grow Language With New PAL Award Winners
Crocuses popping up, dogwoods blooming and peepers whistling in the neighborhood pond remind me that spring has arrived and the landscape is alive again. As we look at new growth and new beginnings what about checking out some great toys … Continue reading
Speech Therapy with Playdoh
Lately I have been reminded to follow the interests of the children I am working with–almost to an extreme! My little 2 year-old friend starts saying “Dough” as soon as he sees we arrive at this door and I have … Continue reading
