May is recognized as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in the United States, a period dedicated to raising public awareness about communication disorders and the services provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encourages professionals and supporters to disseminate information during this time. A variety of free, downloadable educational resources are available to help individuals and organizations participate in these awareness efforts. These materials are designed for use in schools, clinics, and community settings to promote understanding of vocal health, hearing protection, and the scope of speech-language pathology.
The following guide details freebies and activity ideas sourced from professional blogs and resource-sharing platforms. These materials are intended for educational and promotional purposes, providing practical tools for SLPs, teachers, and other professionals to share with their communities. The resources range from printable handouts and posters to interactive activities and gift tags, all available at no cost.
Overview of Available Free Resources
Multiple sources compile and distribute free materials for Better Hearing and Speech Month. These resources are typically created by SLPs and educators who share them via their websites or on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers. The freebies are designed to be low-prep and easily accessible, allowing users to download and print them for immediate use. Common themes include vocal hygiene, hearing protection, the role of SLPs, and communication tips for various settings.
One comprehensive list from a speech-language pathology blog highlights five specific freebies. These include social media graphics for spreading awareness, a 10-page awareness packet, a PowerPoint presentation on voice disorders, water bottle wrappers, and tips for sharing with teachers and staff. Another resource compilation features items such as ASHA-provided materials, bulletin board displays, handout and gift bundles, and bookmarks. The goal of these materials is to make participation in the awareness month manageable, even for professionals with heavy workloads.
A third source provides a list of ten freebies found on Teachers Pay Teachers. These include bookmarks with speech and language facts, a bulletin board display, an awareness packet, and various activity-based resources. The list emphasizes that many educators and even some SLPs are unaware of Better Hearing and Speech Month, underscoring the importance of sharing information about vocal hygiene and hearing care. The activities are designed to be engaging for students and informative for staff.
Specific Freebies and Their Applications
The available freebies serve multiple functions, from direct education to promotional outreach. They are often tailored for specific audiences, such as teachers, students, or the general public.
Printable Handouts and Posters
Printable materials are among the most common types of freebies. Natalie Snyders’ “Better Speech and Hearing Month Awareness Packet” is a 10-page document that can be shared with staff over several weeks. It includes posters for teachers’ lounges, an introduction letter, and a handout titled “What Does an SLP Do Anyway?” This packet is intended to spread awareness of the profession throughout May. Another handout, “What every teacher must know about the voice & voice disorders!” by Speech is Beautiful, is a free PowerPoint presentation focused on vocal health and preventing voice abuse.
ASHA itself provides materials such as posters and coloring pages, which serve as foundational resources for awareness campaigns. These official materials are a reliable starting point for anyone looking to participate. Additionally, handouts from Speech-Language Pirates are designed specifically for teachers, explaining how SLPs can assist with effective communication in the classroom.
Interactive and Educational Activities
For engaging students and making learning fun, several freebies offer interactive activities. Thumb Bunny Speech provides a “No Print Interactive BHSM Activities” resource where students identify animal ears and distinguish between loud and soft sounds. This targets auditory processing in an engaging format. Kiwi Speech’s “BHSM Articulation Secret Codes Boom Deck” uses a digital format to target articulation sounds while incorporating speech and language terms.
Other activity-based freebies include a “Fortune Teller for Better Hearing and Speech Month” from SLPTalk with Desire, which shares fun facts about speech and language while working on following directions. Creative Speech Lab offers a “Better Hearing and Speech Month Triorama” that targets the /s/ sound through a creative craft. Speech Rocks provides a May calendar filled with speech and language activities and conversation task cards, offering a structured way to incorporate awareness into daily routines.
Promotional and Gift Items
To help SLPs give small tokens of appreciation or spread the word, several freebies are designed as gift items or promotional tools. Activity Tailor’s “BHSM or BTS Water Bottle Wrapper” is a quick, inexpensive way to promote the month with a cute label for water bottles. Speech Chick Therapy offers “Better Hearing and Speech Tags” that can be attached to water bottles and Snickers candy bars, including information about vocal hygiene.
Queen’s Speech creates “BHSM Bookmarks” that are described as a super cute gift. These bookmarks include speech and language facts and quotes, making them both informative and decorative. Natalie Snyders’ awareness packet also includes gift tags for a water bottle and a highlighter, which can be used to create small gift bags for staff. These items are designed to be simple to assemble and distribute.
Awareness and Advocacy Tools
Some freebies focus on broader advocacy and professional awareness. SLP Graphics for Better Hearing & Speech Month by The Speech Space provides images for social media, handouts, or blog posts, helping to spread the SLP “love” online. Tid-Bits and Tips for Better Hearing and Speech Month by Speech to the Core is a freebie for sharing tips with teachers and staff.
A blog post from Rethink Speech Therapy lists numerous ideas for celebrating the month, including creating flyers or bookmarks with SLP terms (like aphasia or dysarthria), cranial nerve quizzes, and SLP-themed cookies with fun facts. It also suggests sending out printable low-tech AAC boards for PTs and OTs, memory recommendations, and referral cheat sheets. These ideas aim to educate other healthcare professionals and increase referrals.
Access and Usage Guidelines
Most of these freebies are available for direct download from the creators’ websites or Teachers Pay Teachers pages. Users are typically required to follow the creator’s terms, which usually allow for personal and classroom use. It is common for creators to request feedback or a rating if the resource is used, as this supports their work on the platform.
When using these materials, it is important to respect copyright and usage terms. The resources are generally intended for educational purposes and should not be resold. For ASHA-provided materials, users should refer to the official ASHA website for the most current and authoritative information.
The availability of these freebies is not tied to any purchase or subscription, though some creators may offer email updates for future posts. The sources reviewed are primarily blogs written by SLPs and educators, which are valuable for their practical, experience-based insights. However, for the most official information regarding Better Hearing and Speech Month, consulting ASHA’s website is recommended.
Conclusion
Better Hearing and Speech Month in May presents an opportunity to disseminate valuable information about communication health. A wide array of free educational resources is available to support this effort, from printable handouts and posters to interactive activities and promotional gift tags. These materials, created by professionals in the field, are designed to be accessible and low-prep, enabling SLPs, teachers, and others to participate effectively. By utilizing these freebies, individuals can help raise awareness about vocal hygiene, hearing protection, and the important role of speech-language pathologists in the community.