A Healthy Winter Recipe to Practice Speech & Language Skills

In this article we will discuss:

• The Recipe is Simple:

• Language Activities

• Speech Activities

Helping your child with their speech and language skills at home can be fun and healthy at the same time. It can also be simple. Christa B., one of the Better Speech therapists, found this healthy recipe for the holidays. She is recommending several families she's been working with use it, but the target speech or language skills are modified for each child.

The simplicity of this recipe shows that working on speech and language goals at home can be super easy. You can modify this simple recipe using fruits you have at home. You can even cut out colored pieces of paper and pretend to make the fruit salad.

The Recipe is Simple:

-1 kiwi or green apple cut into half moons

-about 5 raspberries

-a slice of an cutie or orange

Peel the kiwi and slice into half moons. Your child can stack the moons to make a tree (show the photo or ask them to imagine what it would look like). You can make the tree as tall as you like and make it narrow on top. When it is stacked as high as you like, decorate it with the raspberries as ornaments. You can also use red grapes or blueberries. For the star on top, you can use a slices of a cutie or orange.

So simple to get a kiwi Christmas tree :)

While you are creating your kiwi tree or making any other recipes, you can target the following speech or language activities.

Language Activities

These simple activities target vocabulary for toddlers to kids in early elementary school:

1. Verbs: talk about measuring, scooping, cutting, spilling, mixing
   

2. Nouns: talk about bowls, spoons, flour, fruit, berry
   

3. Take Turns: my turn and your turn when you take turns measuring or scooping.
   

Want to improve your child's speech during winter?

For kids that are even younger or still at an earlier developing language ability you can make modifications such as:

1. Making Sounds: what sound does each action make? Sssss for stirring, Ch-Ch-Ch for scooping, k-k-k for cutting. You can make up your own and model the sounds for your little one
   

2. Verbs: use the verb in its most simple form and find the simplest verbs: mix, stir, cut, spill. Even if is not grammatically correct when you use it, model the simple form for your child to learn at first.
   

Here are some complex language activities for toddler to early elementary kids:

1. Comparisons: Line up fruits or bowls but size and talk about small, smaller, smallest before you get cooking.
   

2. Compare and Contrast: Compare soft and hard fruits, big and small spoons, wet and dry ingredients.
   

3. Sequencing Steps: Before you start cooking, talk about the recipe in steps. When you are done, recall the steps. If your child is having a hard time with this, model the steps by saying them out loud without asking your child to repeat or think of the steps on their own. Use words like: first, second, third, next, last.
   

4. Naming: Name foods you love or would like to make
   

5. Categories: Sort foods and other items into categories like vegetables, fruits, hot things, things we eat for desert, items we eat (berries) versus items we don't eat (plates)
   

For the original recipe from Super Healthy Kids, click here.

Speech Activities

For the kiddos working on saying their sounds, cooking activities are a great way to practice!

Below are words to practice while cooking. We have target words for all sounds in all word positions (beginning, middle, and end). If your child is working on any of these sounds, pick a word and practice it while you cook. Functional and easy!

Read articulation therapy for how to do speech therapy at home and access free word lists!

For more information on specific sounds, read about our apps for speech therapy!

Sounds Initial Medial Final B Bake Barbecue Rub D Done Griddle Add F Fork Waffle Half G Garlic Eggplant Egg J Jar Vegetables Storage K Cold Baking Cook L Lukewarm Boiling Bowl M Mix Timer Steam N Napkin Marinate Tablespoon P Pour Open Whip R Roast Syrup Stir S Simmer Season Slice T Teaspoon Saute Heat V Vanilla Oven Stove Z Zest Cheesey Please TH Thank you Something One Fourth CH Chop Kitchen Bunch SH Shake Baking Sheet Mash Thanks to Speech Therapy Activities for the excellent list.

At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is this winter recipe activity best suited for?

This activity works well for a wide range of ages, from toddlers learning first words to school-age children building vocabulary and following multi-step directions. You can easily scale the complexity up or down depending on your child's needs. Younger children might focus on naming ingredients, while older kids can practice sequencing and describing textures.

How does cooking together actually help with speech and language development?

Cooking creates a natural, low-pressure environment where children can practice labeling objects, following directions, sequencing steps, and describing sensory experiences like smell and taste. These real-life contexts make language meaningful and memorable. Activities like stirring, pouring, and tasting also encourage conversation, turn-taking, and listening skills without feeling like structured therapy.

Can I use this recipe activity if my child has a speech delay or disorder?

Yes, cooking activities can be a wonderful complement to professional speech therapy. If your child has a diagnosed delay or disorder, pairing this kind of activity with guidance from a licensed speech-language pathologist will maximize progress. Better Speech offers licensed, insurance-ready care with no waitlists, so you can connect with a therapist quickly and get personalized strategies to use at home.

What specific speech and language goals can I target while making this recipe?

You can target a wide variety of goals depending on your child's needs. Common targets include following two- and three-step directions, expanding vocabulary with food and cooking words, using descriptive language for colors and textures, and practicing articulation during casual conversation. Your speech-language pathologist can help you identify which goals to prioritize during everyday activities like this one.

How do I keep my child engaged during the cooking activity without it feeling like therapy?

The key is to follow your child's lead and keep the mood playful and relaxed. Let them make choices, like picking which vegetable to add first, so they feel ownership over the activity. Use natural conversation rather than drilling or correcting repeatedly. Celebrating small moments, like when they use a new word or complete a direction, goes a long way in building confidence and motivation.

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About the Author

Aycen Zambuto

I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.

I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.