Using mini erasers in Speech:
Like many of you, I’m a bit obsessed with the mini erasers found at Target, Five Below, and Party City. I’ve been using them in speech therapy for a while & wanted to share some of the ways you can use them too!
I will say my favorite mini erasers are from the Target Dollar Spot. They typically come in packs of 60, so I pick up several. Mini erasers give the added benefit of fine motor work. Many of my students need the additional help to build strength & coordination for correct pencil grip.
How do I use mini erasers?
Covering Articulation/Apraxia Targets:
My students (especially when in groups) love rolling a dice and seeing who can cover up their page first. Since we know it is an Evidence-Based strategy to get high repetitions in motor-based speech disorders, I always try to be creative with getting more repetitions out of students. I use erasers with Dice and Dot For Speech & Language and 100 Articulation Trials or the 50 Articulation Trials. The nice thing is, they can then take their page home and then color it as they practice!
Describing:
I will have several kinds mixed in a tub or in a sensory bin. Students will pick them out and describe them by semantic features or use EET! Perfect if you have a large variety like me. Rainbows, bunnies, stars, apples…
Following Directions & Positional Words:
“Put the rainbow eraser inside the cup.”
“After you put the dog eraser on the table, hand me 2 unicorn erasers.” The mini erasers make GREAT manipulatives.
Pacing for Apraxia or Multisyllabic Words
I have found that my students working on multisyllabic words have an easier time tapping on a tactile cue. Kids can pick out a handful of erasers and place them on each syllable – then tap them as we continue practicing.
Rewards or Birthday Treats:
Something about these brightly colored little erasers – they make the perfect reward for on-task behavior, filling up a punch card or the perfect grab item for a birthday surprise! A very inexpensive option.
Category Sorting:
This works well if you have several sets. Have students sort them by color, animals, seasons, holidays, etc.
How to store mini erasers:
I’ve tried several options and finally settled on the rectangular Ziploc containers. They store 100 erasers and stay closed- even when tossed into a therapy bag. For long term storage (out of season) I keep them in a Sterilite container in my materials closet. Grab the labels HERE.
I hope you enjoy these ideas! Don’t forget to check out my 50 and 100 Articulation Trials – many are free – in my TpT store!
