Using "Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" to Support AAC and Language Growth in Speech Therapy
- alykomerch
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dive Into Language With “Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” Communication Board Set
The ocean-themed cumulative tale “Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” is a fan favorite in early childhood classrooms and speech rooms. The repetition and rhythm make it perfect for students working on core vocabulary, sequencing, and story retell — especially those using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).
To make this story even more accessible and interactive, I created a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea Communication Board Set — a tool designed to support nonverbal and minimally verbal students as they participate in storytime.
What Is the Hole in the Bottom of the Sea Communication Board Set?
This resource includes four communication boards:
✔️ Three simple boards with big icons for emerging communicators
✔️ One complex board for advanced AAC users or expanding language
Why Use This in Speech Therapy?
The Hole in the Bottom of the Sea communication board is ideal for:
🗣️ Modeling Core Words – Practice verbs, locations, and prepositions.
📚 Story Retell – Support students in recalling and retelling key story elements.
👀 Expanding Utterances – Prompt students to go from one-word to two- or three-word phrases.
🧠 Building Comprehension – Reinforce sequencing and vocabulary through visuals.
👐 Supporting Participation – Allow AAC users to join in repeated lines like “There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea.”
Whether you're working in a special day class, preschool, or a 1:1 setting, this tool simplifies your planning while boosting student interaction and communication.
Who Can Use This?
✅ SLPAs – Looking for low-prep materials that meet the needs of diverse learners.
✅ SLPs – Supporting mixed-ability groups with engaging, story-based AAC tools.
✅ Special Education Teachers – Including every student in shared reading activities.
✅ Paraprofessionals – Assisting with modeling and prompting during literacy centers.
Final Thoughts
Books like Hole in the Bottom of the Sea are naturally engaging, and pairing them with AAC-friendly visuals makes speech therapy more inclusive. Communication boards make it easier for all students — whether verbal or nonverbal — to join in the fun, practice essential skills, and build their language toolbox.
If you’re looking for an ocean-themed, AAC-supported way to enhance storytime, this resource is for you.
📦 Grab your copy of the Hole in the Bottom of the Sea Communication Board Set
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About the Author
Hi! I’m Kim, and I’ve been a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) for nearly a decade. I have a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and have worked in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, providing services to students in general education and special day classes. I created this blog to share my experiences and help other SLPAs navigate their school-based speech therapy journey.
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