The Best Song Board for Speech Therapy : 5 Insider Tips to Know Before You Buy

If you’re searching for song boards, chances are you’re already using music to support communication—and you’re looking for a way to make those moments even more meaningful.

Maybe your child’s speech therapist or teacher mentioned them. Maybe you’re already singing together and want visuals to go along with the songs you love. Or maybe you’ve noticed that music seems to bring out more connection, participation, or attempts to communicate—and you want to lean into that.

You’re right to trust that instinct.

Song boards can be a powerful way to support understanding, participation, and communication. But not all song boards are created equal. A few key features can make a big difference in how effective they are—and how confident you feel using them.

In this post, we’ll walk through important points you need to consider before you buy.

Music is one of the easiest, most engaging ways to target speech and language skills.That’s exactly why I create music-based communication supports. First Words Dance Party® is a collection of original songs written specifically for speech and language development. 

Unlike nursery rhymes—where the lyrics are fun, but not always functional—each song is built around early-developing words and core vocabulary that makes imitation easier for children with speech delays and language disorders. Every lyric has a purpose, and every song is designed to help your child understand and use real, meaningful language.

If your late talker loves music, you might like my free guide: 5 Easy Steps to Kickstart Communication with Music for Speech Therapy at Home. It gives you simple, practical ways to capitalize on the proven benefits of music on language development to get your child engaged and imitating faster.

And with that, let’s dive into the five most important things to consider before purchasing a song board.

What Is a Song Board?

A song board is a visual support that pairs pictures or symbols with the words, sounds, or actions in a song.

Rather than focusing on prompting a child to sing a word or phrase, song boards are designed to help children:

• process what they’re hearing with visual support

• understand the meaning of the words and the story within the lyrics

• join in through pointing, gestures, sounds, or words as they are able

Song boards are meant to be used during music—while you’re singing, moving, and having fun together. They’re not a test, a worksheet, or something a child has to “perform” correctly. Their purpose is connection, participation, and communication.

Music Is Powerful for Speech and Language — and Certain Songs Are Absolute Gold

There’s a reason music is so often used to support speech and language development.

Music naturally:

• slows language down and makes it more predictable

• uses rhythm and repetition, which support processing and memory

• regulates emotions and increases engagement

• invites turn-taking, imitation, and shared enjoyment

When children are engaged, regulated, and motivated, communication is simply easier. This is especially true for children on the autism spectrum, who often have heightened musicality and can benefit tremendously from incorporating music into therapy.

That said, while music itself is powerful, not all songs offer the same opportunities for language learning.

Some songs are especially well-suited for song boards because they include:

• repetitive, functional words

• simple syllable shapes that are easier to imitate

• clear actions, gestures, or exclamations that invite imitation

Other songs may be fun to listen to, but don’t naturally lend themselves to meaningful communication or imitation.

This doesn’t mean you need to stop singing your favorites—but it does mean that when you’re choosing song boards, you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you choose songs that are absolute gold. 

In the next sections, we’ll look more closely at what makes certain song boards more effective—and why those details matter so much for communication.

2. Song Boards That Go Beyond Object Words Support Real Communication

Many song boards do a nice job of including visuals for labeling with pictures for things like animals, vehicles, or objects mentioned in a song. These kinds of visuals can absolutely be helpful for supporting understanding.

But object words can only get you so far. Children with speech delays tend to be better at using words to label than they are at using a variety of action words and descriptive words, and we need a wide variety of words for functional language. 

We need a variety of different kinds of words to put word combinations together and to use communication for different functions (greeting, commenting, requesting, protesting, seeking information, etc.). 

When you’re choosing a song board, it’s important to also think about what kind of language your child is being invited to use. This is where language-rich core words, action words, and exclamatory expressions become just as important—if not more so—than nouns.

Why Core Words Matter in Song Boards

Core words are words like go, stop, more, up, in, and help. They show up across many different songs, routines, and activities, which makes them incredibly powerful for early communication. 

When song boards highlight these words, children get repeated exposure to language they can actually use in lots of contexts.

For more information on what core vocabulary is and how to use leverage the joyful nature music to teach core vocab, you can check out these articles.

Song Visuals Should Include Actions and Exclamatory Expressions

Exclamatory expressions (oh!, uh-oh!, yay!) and action words (jump, clap, go) matter too. These words are:

• emotionally engaging

• easy to model

• often easier for children to imitate than longer or more complex words

If song visuals only include pictures of the objects within the lyrics, we miss huge opportunities to model the action words, descriptive words, and core language that children with speech delays need to put word combinations together. 

The most supportive song boards don’t just help children recognize what they see—they help children participate. And participation is where communication really starts.

This idea becomes even clearer when we look at how imitation develops, which brings us to the next point.

How Imitation Develops — and What to Look for in a Songboard

Imitation is the foundation of communication—but it develops over time in predictable stages.

Long before children imitate phrases or sentences, they progress through these stages of imitation:

• movements and gestures (clapping hands, waving, doing the motions to a song)

• sounds and sound effects (“mmm,” “grrr,” vehicle sounds)

• simple words within verbal routines  (ready, set, go!, one, two, three!, Peek A….Boo!)

• exclamatory expressions (“wee!”, “uh-oh!”, “wow!”, “yay!”)

• simple words 

• word combinations

This progression is well documented in early communication research and is described clearly by speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, who outlines how imitation develops in predictable stages—from actions and sounds, to simple syllables, and eventually to words and phrases.

In her work on imitation and early language development (such as her Stages of Imitation framework), she emphasizes that children are most likely to imitate language that feels easy, motivating, and emotionally engaging.

(You can read more about her work here: Teach Me To Talk – Stages of Imitation)

That’s an important lens to use when choosing song boards.

The most effective song boards don’t just include visuals for longer or more complex words. They intentionally highlight opportunities for children to imitate:

• functional core words

• exclamatory expressions 

• action words

These are often the easiest entry points for participation.

In Row Row Row Your Boat, for example, a child might not be ready to sing the whole phrase “gently down the stream”—but they can do the “down” gesture with their index finger, say “dow!” as an approximation for “down”, or sing the melody by repeating the same syllable over and over. Those attempts matter.

When song boards visually support these early forms of imitation, they lower the bar for joining in. And when the feature core words like “down” instead of just labels for objects and animals, it makes it easier for a child to generalize functional words to other routines.

Preschool Song Boards Work Best When They Support Early Imitation

Children don’t have to wait until they can say the word correctly to participate—they can communicate right where they are.

This is what gives families the most bang for their buck: song boards that promote imitation by focusing on actions, gestures, exclamatory expressions, and core words.

And once children are actively imitating and participating, the next natural step is initiation—which brings us to the next point.

4. Song Choice Boards and Song Cards Support Initiation

When we think about communication, it’s easy to focus on what happens during a song—singing along, copying actions, or imitating sounds.

But some of the most meaningful communication actually happens before the song even starts.

Music is a wonderful time to provide opportunities for children with speech delays to make requests, like:

• choosing a song when offered a choice

• initiating by asking for favorites

• making requests with functional core words like more, all done, stop, and go

Using Song Choices to Help Children Initiate

Tools like:

• individual song cards

• a song choice board

• an “I Want” communication board

give children alternative ways to communicate their preferences. Instead of waiting for a child to say the song title, they can look at, point to, or hand over a visual.

And these pathways to language are incredibly important.

When a child gets to choose the song, music time becomes even more engaging—it becomes something they help create. That sense of control and ownership is incredibly motivating and often leads to more imitation and more communication overall.

Song boards that include supports for choice-making don’t just help children participate in songs—they help children initiate communication. And initiation is always the goal.

Music with Preschoolers Is More Powerful When We Sing Together

Many families only know a handful of children’s songs—and that’s completely normal.

Some parents feel unsure about the lyrics. Others rely on song videos because their child enjoys watching them. And for many families, music time has quietly turned into screen time. 

But here’s the important reframe:
while kids love watching videos of others singing or animated music videos,  we miss out on so much communication potential when they only watch passively.

Singing together invites engagement and participation

Singing together opens the door to:

• turn-taking

• endless opportunities for imitation

• shared laughter

• eye contact and connection

• playful back-and-forth interactions

When you sing with your child, music becomes interactive. Your child gets to see your face, copy your expressions and gestures, and respond. And it’s okay if this feels a little outside your comfort zone at first.

You don’t need to have a great singing voice.
You don’t need to know all the words.
Your child doesn’t care about that.

What matters is that you’re sharing that moment together, so you can respond to each other naturally in real time.

If remembering lyrics or knowing what songs work best feels a little foreign, that’s where having visual support can help. Song boards that include the lyrics and key language elements can give parents the confidence to sing more—and give children more opportunities to participate, imitate, and communicate.

Music doesn’t have to stay on a screen. With the right supports, it can become one of the most joyful and communication-rich parts of your day.

What Is First Words Dance Party®?

First Words Dance Party® is a collection of original songs for speech therapy created to help young children build communication skills through music.

Unlike traditional children’s music, First Words Dance Party® songs are intentionally written with early communication in mind. The lyrics are designed to:

• model functional core words

• include simple, early syllable shapes

• build in exclamatory expressions, actions, and gestures

• support imitation, participation, and connection

Fun, catchy music for speech therapy

Here are a few examples:

• The Cookie Song: This kid favorite targets the core words yes and no, along with the words eat, want, what, doggie, and of course, cookie! This one is perfect for kids who aren’t yet gesturing or saying yes and no.

• Ready, Set, Go: This one uses a powerful strategy, called an anticipatory set, to promote engagement. It targets the opposite pair stop and go, along with the words push, pull, bubbles, uh-oh, oh no, more, and I. 

• It’s a Dance Party: Another kid favorite, this one teaches the names of body parts- like eyes, nose, ears, hands, and feet. It also targets the words up and down, with plenty of functional examples in the lyrics (like clean up, pick me up, get down, slide down, etc.) Check out this lyrics video that uses aided language stimulation to model the words "up" and "down".

You can stream First Words Dance Party® on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and anywhere else you get your music.

These speech therapy songs and resources were created to give parents an easy, joyful way to model language at home—no waiting lists, no flashcards, no pressure. Just real connection and steady growth through music that brings you and your child together.

Communication boards are available for each song, so children can see the language they’re hearing as they sing and dance, with lyrics on each board to help you learn the words.

Together, the music and visuals create natural, joyful opportunities for children to communicate in whatever way they can—through sounds, gestures, signs, AAC, or emerging speech.

And while First Words Dance Party® songs are intentionally written with speech and language strategies woven into each one, sometimes you still want song boards for your favorite classic children’s songs.

This is why some families choose to pair classic song boards with First Words Dance Party® originals as they continue supporting communication through music.

Ready to Get Started with Song Boards?

If you’re just beginning to use song boards, starting with familiar music can feel easiest.

Classic Children’s Song Boards

These song boards are built around well-loved children’s songs and designed to make music time more interactive and communicative—without adding pressure.

They’re a great fit if you:

• want to use songs you already know

• like having the song lyrics on the board

• also want song choice cards and a song choice board

• want easy ways to help your child imitate functional words they can use in everyday life

Want Everything in One Place?

If you want the best of both worlds—song boards for classic kid songs and catch, original speech therapy songs—the Ultimate Songboard Bundle is what you need.

First Words Dance Party® Ultimate Songboard Bundle

This bundle brings together:

• 20 classic children’s song boards

• 10 First Words Dance Party® communication boards

• 2 Song choice boards and 30 song choice cards

• the full digital album of original speech therapy songs

It’s designed for families who want a complete, music-based communication toolkit—so you don’t have to wonder what to add next.

Final Thoughts

Simply singing with your child is already a speech and language win. Music naturally supports connection, regulation, and communication—and those moments matter more than we sometimes realize.

For children with speech delays, though, we can take those same musical moments to a whole new level when we add song boards. Choosing songs that invite the best opportunities for imitation, highlighting meaningful words and actions, and giving children visual ways to join in and make choices all turn music time into rich, accessible communication practice.

Whether you start with familiar children’s songs or gradually add in music written specifically for language development, what matters most is connection. Singing together, laughing together, and following your child’s lead all count.

Song boards aren’t about doing more or doing things “right.” They’re about making the moments you’re already sharing more interactive, more supportive, and more joyful—for both you and your child.

And that’s a beautiful place to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Song Boards

What is a song board?

A song board is a visual support that pairs pictures or symbols with the words, sounds, or actions in a song. Song boards help children understand what they’re hearing and give them ways to participate through pointing, gestures, sounds, or words during music time.

Why should you use a song board for preschoolers?

Song boards for preschoolers are worth their weight in gold, because they help children to understand the words within the lyrics by providing visual support. Song boards also increase participation, imitation, and early communication by giving children different ways to join in. Many speech-language pathologists, educators, music therapists, parents and caregivers use song boards during music activities at home and in early learning settings.

What’s better: a song choice board or song cards?

A song choice board gives children visual options, sort of like a visual menu, for choosing songs. These make it possible for a child to point to or look at a picture to make a choice. Song choice boards are a powerful way to support initiation.

Some children may benefit from individual song choice cards, especially if they tend to get visually overwhelmed. With individual song cards, you can present a choice of 2-6. This can be a perfect way to start for children who have never used visuals before to communicate.

Can song boards be used as circle time visuals?

Absolutely! Many teachers and speech therapists use song boards as circle time visuals, especially when song choice cards are also used to give each child an opportunity to take a turn. Music visuals can help children stay engaged, understand more, and participate in songs alongside their peers.

How do song boards support communication beyond music time?

The language modeled in song boards—especially core words, actions, and exclamations—can carry over into daily routines like play, meals, and transitions. Many families find that by emphasizing the core words in a song (like eat, drink, yes, no, on, off, in, out, yes, no, etc.), their children are better able to imitate these words later in other parts of the day, like meals and snacks, bath time, and play.