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ABOUT THIS BLOG: Janice Lee is a Speech-Pathologist, blog writer and author of digital speech and language materials. She is a professional graphic designer and mom. This blog was created to share her insights and opinions on various speech and language topics with others. The content and information contained are not meant to substitute professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your speech-language pathologist, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s condition.
*FULL DISCLOSURE: playTOK is an author of Boom CardsSM on Boom LearningSM (Boomlearning.com). This page does not receive advertising or paid promotional posts. This blog does include third-party affiliate links which will be disclosed fully within each blog post. You can read my full disclosure statement here.
Latest Features
Featured posts and opinion blogs
My Main Street
We are so excited to announce that our business was one of the many successful applicants for the @My Main Street’s Business Sustainability stream! With this support, we
Articulation Candy Castle (BOOM Cards by playTOK)
Articulation Candy Castle - ALL SOUNDS ! Various individual decks for sounds: H W P B M T D N K G NG F V S Z SH
Mr. Gumpy’s Boat (Boom Cards™ by playTOK)
Mr Gumpy's Boat (Boom Cards™ by playTOK) I often read Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham. There are so many opportunities to adapt this book for vocabulary, articulation, motor
Cars Articulation & Magic Keys! (Boom Cards™ by playTOK)
Cool Cars Artic Boom Cards ! Various individual decks for sounds: H W P B M T D N K G NG F V S Z SH CH
Magic Keys & Easter Eggs! (Boom Cards™ by playTOK)
Easter Egg Magic Keys Boom CardsTM by playTOK. Full articulation set including individual decks for easy home practice assignment: - H, W, P, B, M, T, D, N,
St. Patrick’s Day Fun
Don't Pop Lucky! Boom CardTM by playTOK This activity is animated and includes involving quick and motivating turns for speech therapy reinforcement. It is available as a Reinforcer
Mmmm, Chocolates! Valentine’s Boom Cards for Articulation
Do you have a sweet tooth? Until now, all my articulation sets are all-in-one (e.g. Don't Pop Pete! Articulation, Don't Pop Cupid! Articulation), which means they can be
Don’t Pop Cupid! Articulation Fun
Boom Cards for articulation! Here is the Valentine's Day edition of Don't Pop Pete! Can you find Cupid? Which arrows are the boy and girl cherubs holding? Find
Chinese New Year Boom Cards For Early Language
Boom Cards by playTOK! Chinese New Year: Digital Play Set (Vocabulary, Categories, Peekaboo Books, Sound Books) This digital play set includes: 1) Peekaboo Chinese Zodiac Animals 2) Sound
Happy Birthday (Boom CardsSM by playTOK)
Happy Birthday Boom Cards SM by playTOKto You! Digital stickers with animation + music Click for store This digital Boom CardsSM set is a no
Describe This: Christmas Vocabulary & Language
Boom Cards by playTOK! Describe This: Christmas New launch price until the end of the month! Have you ever played Secret Square? Well, I have always loved Secret
Story Spotlights & Roll A Story
Boom Cards by playTOK Story Spotlights Big Bundle (7 Decks, 14 Games) Wow! All the Story Spotlights have been now updated to include Roll A Story. What does
Fireworks Wind-Up Toy!!!! (New Years’s Eve, anyone?)
BOOM CardsSM by playTOK Fireworks digital Wind-Up Toy includes single firework scenes, multiple firework scenes, and even numbered 1 to 10 fireworks! Use this during speech and language
Skating Wind-Up Toy: Skate, spin, jump!
Boom CardsSM by playTOK Skate, spin, jump! Simple, quick and super adorable skating digital wind-up toy! Use this playTOK Boom CardSM in pediatric speech and language therapy for
Christmas Doughnuts! Boom Cards for teletherapy
I love falling back on "Build A Donut" as a quick reinforcer, often saved for the end-of-sessions! Here's my Christmas take - Build A Donut Christmas! Complete with
Santa’s Photos – Actions – Teletherapy Boom Cards
BOOM CardsSM by playTOK The elves like to take photos of Santa in action! What is Santa doing now? "Santa's Photos - Actions" is a series of single
STORY SPOTLIGHTS – Halloween 2
My newest Story Spotlight (Halloween 2) is posted free for the month of October! This activity is from the Story Spotlight series where you can use various characters,
Halloween Magic Mirror
Here's the latest Magic Mirror for Halloween!
Creepy pizzas and FrankenPETEY! Halloween is near!
It's been a while since I've added to my blog! With that, I just couldn't resist creating fun, halloween and imagination themed virtual activities. Children of all ages
Let’s Talk about Feelings
After children learn their initial vocabulary for a variety of emotions and feelings, I find it helpful to provide mini narratives and scenarios for discussion. With Feelings Scenes
Let’s Talk About Verbs + Pronouns!
The first words that kids learn are labels and nouns. For example, babies often start with "bottle", "cookie", and "mama". I also often hear parents report that "My
Don’t Pop Lucky! Boom Cards
My top tricks for St. Patrick's Day and a set of St. Patrick's Boom Cards! Top In-Centre Activities Use construction paper and cut out 3 or 4-leaf clovers
We’ve added colour to our speech targets!
As you know, it's important for me to know what works and what doesn't work in the digital activities I create. When I received feedback about Don't Pop
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall! Valentine’s & St. Patrick’s Day
Adapt this activity to a variety of speech and language goals! I like to use it to target themed vocabulary, syllables, receptive language and key speech targets or
All Googly Eyes for you! Will you BEE Mine?
zzMy son snuck into his sister's room and stole her gluestick. Then, he managed to steal some googly eyes and a piece of blank paper. He sat down
Updates! Garage Door
Being nit-picky as I am, I'm bound to come across little details or Boom Decks that aren't quite up to par. I really recall "Garage Doors" being one
BOP! Groundhog Day
Since Feb 2, 2021 is Groundhog Day, I began thinking about how I could make a game similar to whack-a-mole but include various speech and language goals. I
Learning about Feelings
I like to introduce feelings by sharing various books with children. One of the books I love is "The Way I Feel" by Janan Cain. After one or
Story Spotlights!
Story Spotlights are no-prep simple narrative props with a theme. With the help of a spotlight, you can select a character, setting, problem, action and resolution (feelings). The
Updated! Trains & Towns Refreshed!
I've been adding and updating my Train wind-up toys. Although the initial Trains & Towns was always a hit, I found that adding hidden images in Trains &
I Love Matroyshka Nesting Dolls!
I absolutely adore Matroyshka dolls with their simplicity, beautiful colours, and intricate details. Typically, I make activities that spark fun and curiosity. Much of the time, I try
Balloon POP!
Here's a new POP! game, "Balloon POP! (Counting + Reinforcer". This Balloon POP! Counting game includes: 1) Counting POP (0 to 10) - Yellow, red and blue balloons
The very first playTOK Printable – Winter Hats!
Over the holiday break, I illustrated some printables for in-person use. This very-first edition "Winter Hats - no gender PDF" is available to mailing-list members. You can draw
Bubble POP POP POP! Quack Quack Quack!
(updated to include Bubble POP! Ducks and Bubble POP! Alphabet) We love bubbles. Bubbles all day, bubbles all night! In fact, I've been blowing bubbles to my webcam
Winter Boom Blues
After making the "Feed the Reindeer, Reindeer Poops!" game over the holiday, I found that kids loved the repetitive pattern of interactive books. I've enjoyed making these and
Conditioned Play Audiometry
It's here! Do you need a way to practice conditioned play audiometry via telerpractice? There are some ways you can adapt your practice face to face online to
My Favourite playTOK Holiday Boom Cards
I've made nearly 90 decks so far - all in the playTOK Boom CardsSM store! Many of my decks are open-ended and suitable for naturalistic conversation or language
Hannukah Treats!
This Hannukah Treats! playTOK series has many play options. Have fun as you prepare special holiday treats challah, rugelach and sufganiyot. 1) Let's Bake Challah and Rugelach! -
All new articulation editions in our “Don’t Pop!” Series
Remember "Don't Pop Pete!" Boom CardsTM version of Pop-Up-Pirate, "Don't Pop Penny!" (with expanded pirate language scenes), and"Don't Pop Frankenpete!"? Well, I've taken the original "Don't Pop Pete!"
Choo-Choo! Trains and Towns now has sounds!
If you love the original digital wind-up "Trains & Towns", perhaps you like it even more now that I've added train sounds! If you don't want the sound,
Guess Who’s Coming To Town? Boom Cards
HOORAY! SANTA'S COMING TO TOWN! For all of the kids who just love Don't Pop Pete!, of course I had to make a Don't Pop Santa! In this
Reinforcers – Toy Box & Other Reinforcer Boards by playTOK
I am going to talk about a new reinforcer board and an old set: Reinforcers - Toy Box First/Then, Token Reward, and Sticker Board (Free bundle). I was
ABCs Names and Sounds That Stick!
Ok, what are some easy ways to embed ABCs into your everyday? I like to recommend fun and easy activities that our children will remember to do. This
Clean up the toys and model speech and language!
General Speech and Language Suggestions During Clean-Up and a Digital Activity by playTOK: Toy Box (Boom CardsSM). I like to incorporate everyday routines into the digital activities during
The Christmas Lights Are Up Early! Let’s Take A Walk!
General Speech and Language Suggestions During a Christmas Lights Language Walk and a Digital Activity by playTOK: Toy Box (Boom CardsSM). Okay, I couldn't help it! With all
You Choose – Are We Talking about Receptive or Expressive Goals With Books?
When I was a child, I loved "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. They fueled my wonder and imagination. One moment, I would dream about long lost cities, like
Story Time IS Family Time
That's right. IS. Story time IS family time. And the 10 minutes you take to share a book together? That's 10 minutes of time you spent sowing the
Top 5 (and a Bonus!) Thanksgiving Boom Cards by playTOK
IMPORTANT INFO: When using playTOK boards through telepractice: ZOOM Users: You can use the 'Share Screen' + 'Share computer sound' + 'Give Remote Control'. You may need to
FREE – Veterans Day / Remembrance Day activity.
IMPORTANT INFO: When using playTOK boards through telepractice: ZOOM Users: You can use the 'Share Screen' + 'Share computer sound' + 'Give Remote Control'. You may need to
November Demos
November playTOK activity demos. Do you want access to our Theme lists and Catalog? Sign-up for our mailing list. ALL NEW! playTOK Google Catalog
Best Budget Telepractice Tools (Headset, Webcam, Greenscreen)
Logitech New logitech h390 USB Headset with noisecanceling Microphone Bulk Packaging, 5.8 Ounce There are must-haves and optional items that have helped me during telepractice. I'm including my
Muddy Dog + Dot The Dog
We love books about puppies, dogs and all pets! I incorporate books with dogs very easily into sessions because many children relate to this topic. Many children have
3 Boom Cards Sets to target Feelings, Syllables and Expanding Language
Most of the Boom CardsTM that I make are silly, entertaining, and good 'ol fun! I run with my ideas, and often incorporate goals that I need to
Quality Audio
I have been really paying attention to sound quality since starting telepractice. There are a few key things to consider when trouble-shooting sound quality. How is my sound?
“Around The Table That Granddad Built” Book Review and playTOK Dinner Tables Boom Cards
I came across this wonderful book, Around the Table That Grandad Built by Marielle Hill and illustrated by Jamie Kim. It is beautifully illustrated, capturing the liveliness and
FREE (Until Oct 26) Mr. Pumpkin + Friends
FREEBIE offer until Oct 26, 2020! Mr. Pumpkin + Friends In Mr. Pumpkin + Friends, there are multiple activities: Mr. Pumpkin + Friends: Build a Face
October Demos
October playTOK activity demos. Do you want access to our Theme lists and Catalog? Sign-up for our mailing list. ALL NEW! playTOK Google Catalog
Turkeys, Apples and Halloween!
When my daughter was in kindergarten, she loved the Thanksgiving poem "A Turkey Is a Funny Bird". To be honest, we all loved reciting it! I simply had
BOOM CARDS? SLP Telepractice Use & How-To Guide
This how-to guide is for clinicians and educators. If you are a parent, ask your clinician or educator how you can support your child's communication or learning goals
THREE GREAT DECKS: “ABC Go Boom!”, “Mama? Baby!” & “Goodnight Dinos!”
3 GREAT DECKS FOR PRESCHOOLERS & KINDERGARTEN! Get "ABC, Go Boom!" for just the cost of a coffee! This newly launched set will be a great accompaniment to
Graphic Organizers for Telepractice or Whiteboard!
This new tool will help you come up with steps, lists, webs and venn diagrams in a jiffy! There are two Graphic Organizer versions: Keyboard Entry - Type
My Top Telepractice Toys
Think of these as wind-up-toys and simple, quick reinforcers for speech therapy -- but online! I really needed some short breaks for the kids, which were fun, motivating,
Pirate Themed Boom Cards
I had so much fun with the first "Don't Pop Pete!" Boom CardsTM version of Pop-Up-Pirate, that I went on and added a "Don't Pop Penny!" (with expanded
Contest on Instagram!
playTOK Let's Go Apple Picking Boom Cards The interactive "Let's Go Apple Picking" Boom card set by playTOK is $1 until Sept 13. It is perfect
Apples, Oranges, Pears and Plums! Harvest Time!
It's apple picking season! In addition to apples, I've added oranges, pears and plums! In playTOK "Apple Picking + Fruit Orchard", use theme-based Boom Cards for speech, language,
Halloween Is Here!
It's only September, but I've been having so much fun getting ready for Halloween! I've added some new Boom CardsTM! Until Sept 21, you can demo these games
September Demos (
(SEPTEMBER DEMOS ARE NOW FINISHED. SIGN-UP TO OUR MAILING LIST FOR OCT). This demo will only work on a tablet, laptop or desktop. Remember to sign up for
Ideas for Back To School
It's that time of year again - September! But this is the first year in history where parents around the globe must decide between mass cohorts of in-class
Telepractice toys, why?
There's no substitute for real world connection, real life experiences or a child's play in the real world. The time you spend during bath time, your special pancake
Superheroes to the rescue!
I'm always asking parents "What dolls does your child play with?". For parents of boys, they always respond "They don't play with dolls". So, I've changed my question
Theme: Happy International Dog Day 2020!
If you're planning a dog theme for International Dog Day, I've compiled a few "doggy" resources which include online books, games and products! It is so easy to
Share Books
We all know that literacy starts from birth. A child’s knowledge of their own experience and the world contributes to their lifelong literacy as well. How does self
Kids Love Hide and Seek + Other Games!
One of my first boards was Garage Doors, because my son loves playing with cars. To be specific, he loves his Melissa & Doug Garage that has doors.
Covid-19, Clean Hands & Face Masks
Since making my playTOK Feelings and playTOK Let's Pretend interactive games, I really wanted to use characters for other topics. I find it really useful for targeting various
Letter Building & Recognition playTOK Tools
Kids love cars!!! Along with my Construction City scene, I wanted to make a letter play set with a vehicles theme. It's great to use cute letters to
August Demos
Wow! I can't believe I've made so many games in just the last month! I wanted to share some full demos for all of you who
My first Facebook Contest! Pop Up Pirate and Candyland Castle
I am thankful for all the facebook SLPs who helped me pick names for girl Pirates! I also received many amazing suggestions for other games to make. 🙂
Your own Bitmoji + playTOK rooms are coming!
I'm learning about Bitmoji rooms and I love them! They make telepractice more personable and help me categorize my boards nicely. Have you downloaded the Bitmoji
I’ve Been Busy! play play playTOK!
I have been so busy trying to get all my thoughts into my tablet toys. With each new set, I learn new things and jam pack my playTOK
Who doesn’t love unicorns???
I have to admit, unicorns have become such a big "thing" that kids nowadays may even been learning the word "unicorn" before "horse"! YEP! I showed one of
No Prep Boom Cards for Speech Therapy – Garage Doors
Boom CardsTM are so easy to incorporate into your speech and language sessions! Since we have gone virtual during the Covid-19 closures, I have had to look for
No Prep Boom Cards for Speech Therapy – playTOK Construction City
Boom Cards for SLPs - Construction Citty Boom CardsTM are so easy to incorporate into your speech and language sessions! Since we have gone virtual during
playTOK ABC Cookies
Yummy, we made a new Boom CardTM deck! It's called ABC Cookies! It'll be lots of fun playing "fridge magnet" or "cookies and tray" with this set of
Demo Videos Now on Youtube!
Check out some sneak previews on how our newly launched games play on Boom LearningTM. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC60bsPuruWgiBIc7lYOHljQ/featured We use these games during speech and languages sessions through screen-sharing via
“Mmm Burger” in playTOK Build-A-Burger
The playTOK Build-A-Burger set was feeling like it needed another scene. So, I added our friendly monster in this scene "Mmmm Burgers!". Isn't he so cute? He just
playTOK First/Then and Token Economy Board
I frequently use First/Then boards and Token Economy systems to help my children stay focused. Check out this Boom CardsTM playTOK First/Then and Token Economy Board! I made
Excited to Design Again!
It's been 4 months since Covid-19 has hit the world. The truth is, the first few months were all a blur. It took that long to reorganize, regroup
Introducing playTOK boards!
How To Use playTOK Boards Why should I use playTOK Boom Cards? We all need some go-to resources that are versatile, fun and easy-to-use!! I love using
Children need more outdoor play
LChildren today need as much free, outdoor play as they can get. With the challenges of technology, hectic schedules, and decreased activity in society as a whole, we
What is the best toy for my baby?
You are! Parents are always the best "toy" for their children. Being an engaged play partner allows you to guide and share in their development. Babies' brains are
Let’s TOK! Welcome to playTOK
Let me introduce myself, over a cup of coffee perhapgs? My name is Janice Lee, and I am a registered speech-language pathologist and professional graphic designer. I created
We read research, scout out the best websites and resources and share with you tips and tricks to support your child’s development.
Not sure what to do this winter? We visit and discuss some of the best activities you can do with your family on a budget.
From communication, fine and gross motor, to social well-being. We ask experts what they think of childhood development.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy resources for professionals.
Although we promote naturalistic play and creative, engaging play, sometimes it isn’t possible for professionals to do therapy within various environments or play settings. With limited time and resources, our Speech-Language Pathologists list some of their favourite activities! We have also developed some quick and easy open-ended materials for therapists to use in therapy.
“Play is often talked about as if it was a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.” –
“The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.”