We Wrote an April Fools Blog Post. Just Kidding!
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
Actually, we did write one for April 1st because any special day is reason enough to write a blog post suggesting fun ways to slip in some speech therapy ideas into your child's day. And these ideas will get the whole family giggling!
The key with any of these activities and integrating speech therapy, is to know what your child's goals are and target the those within the activity.
For example, if you toddler is working on increasing their sentence length from one to two words, you can take any activity vocabulary word and make the sentence 1 word longer. So you can take the word "day" and make it "long day." Or you can take the word "fish" from the activity below, and make it "big fish."
If you have an older child working on Wh- questions, you can make each question more or less simple. For example, you can take the simple question "what is a prank?" and extend it to, "what is a prank and when was the last time you played one?"
If your child is practicing certain sounds for an articulation goal, you can take any vocabulary word and add another one with the target sound. If the target sound is "th" as in the word "the," you can practice saying "the fish" or "the joke.
April Fool's Day is a great day to tell funny jokes
The key is knowing your child's goals and making the small changes to the activity to target those goals. The Better Speech speech language pathologists always make recommendations to their families on how to modify any family activity to address speech therapy goals.
We asked our speech language pathologists to tell us about their favorite April Fools Day activities, and here are some that they shared:
Wh Questions:
What is April Fool’s Day?
What is a fool?
What is a prank?
When is April Fool’s Day?
Why is it ok to do pranks on April Fool’s Day but not on other days?
A Chilly Breakfast:
The night before April 1st, fill a bowl with your child's favorite cereal, pour in the milk and then put the bowl in the freezer. The next morning, serve it for breakfast and watch your child's confused looks.
Talk About it:
Why is this prank funny (or not)?
What else can you put in the freezer to prank someone for dinner?
April Fools Around the World:
People all around the world celebrate April fools day. In France, it's called Poisson d’Avril which means April Fish. People in France try to stick a paper fish on someone without them noticing and then yell, "April Fish!" in French. And in Portugal, they celebrate April Fools by throwing flour in friend’s faces.
If you are brave enough to let your child choose, describe the traditions from France and Portugal and let your child decide which they want to try at home.
Here is some vocabulary your can review with your child depending on which country tradition they choose:
France: fish, paper, stick, back, run, got ya!
Portugal: flour, bowl, white, cloud, throw, run
Do you have any favorite April Fools ideas? Did you take a photo or video of a prank you played on your child? Email Michelle, the clinical director at Better Speech and she might select you to win an Amazon Gift Card. We will share your prank with all of the Better Speech SLPs to use next year with our families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this blog post actually giving real speech therapy advice or is it just a joke?
It is genuinely both! The April Fools framing is playful, but the underlying message about speech therapy awareness is real and meaningful. Better Speech uses moments like these to keep important conversations lighthearted and accessible, because talking about communication challenges should never feel intimidating.
How do I know if my child needs speech therapy and is not just a late talker?
A good rule of thumb is to track whether your child is meeting general milestones for their age, such as using single words by 12 months and two-word phrases by 24 months. If you notice consistent delays or frustration around communication, a licensed speech-language pathologist can give you a clear, personalized picture. Early evaluation is always worth it.
Can adults benefit from speech therapy, or is it mostly for children?
Adults absolutely benefit from speech therapy. It helps with articulation, stuttering, voice disorders, accent modification, and recovery after a stroke or injury. Many adults put off getting help because they assume therapy is only for kids, but the brain remains adaptable throughout life and progress is very achievable with consistent support.
How quickly can I get started with speech therapy if I do not want to wait months for an appointment?
Better Speech offers licensed, insurance-ready care with no waitlists, so you can often connect with a speech-language pathologist within days rather than months. Sessions are conducted online, which removes the hassle of commuting and scheduling conflicts. Getting started is straightforward and the intake process is designed to be simple and stress-free.
What should I do if I laughed at the April Fools joke but realized I actually do have questions about speech therapy?
That moment of recognition is actually a great starting point! Write down the specific concerns you have, whether they involve a child's development or your own communication, and bring them to a qualified speech-language pathologist. No question is too small, and a brief consultation can provide clarity and real direction faster than you might expect.
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.
