How can I do speech therapy for comparing and contrasting?

Here’s how we would break this skill down into a step-by-step plan for teaching a child to compare and contrast. Keep in mind that younger children may not need to go through all six of these phases. Same or Different (Identical): When shown two identical images, Client will identify if two pictures are the same or different. Same or Different (Not Identical): When shown two images that represent the same thing but look different (such as two pictures of different dogs), Client will identify if the two pictures represent the same concept or different concepts. How are they Similar: When two objects are named, Client will name at least two ways that they are similar when given possible similarities, such as “category, function, parts, appearance,” etc. Comparing and Contrasting Objects: When two objects are named, Client will name two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different. Distinguishing Shades of Meaning: When given two words with similar meanings (such as “dirty” and “filthy”), Client will tell how the meanings are similar and how they are different. Comparing and Contrasting Stories, Experiences, and Perspectives: When presented with two stories, experiences, or perspectives, Client will tell two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different.

Is there a home program/curriculum that I can use at home to help my child/teen learn comparing and contrasting and boost their vocabulary skills?

Yes! The Vocabulary Curriculum from Speech and Language Kids is designed to help parents and professionals support children and teens with language and vocabulary delays. These structured, step-by-step programs walk you through the entire vocabulary journey — from learning first words through acquiring word-learning strategies that help children and teens build their vocabulary more quickly and easily. Each lesson is clear, evidence-based, and easy to follow, making it perfect for use at home or alongside speech therapy. You’ll get ready-to-use activities, goals, and guidance so you can confidently help your child make real progress in smoother, more confident communication.

Is there a structured program or Curriculum that I can use in speech therapy to treat vocabulary delays in children and teens?

Yes! The Vocabulary Curriculum from Speech and Language Kids provides a complete, start-to-finish framework for treating vocabulary delays in children and teens. Each step of therapy is clearly laid out so you’ll always know exactly what to target next—no more wasting hours piecing together random materials or planning from scratch. These evidence-based lessons guide you through the different levels of vocabulary therapy: from learning your first words, to expanding lexicons, to word-learning strategies that will allow children and teens to continue to expand their vocabularies effortlessly throughout their lives. When you subscribe to the SLK Curriculum, you’ll get access to the vocabulary curriculum plus all of our other structured therapy curriculums—covering language, articulation, social communication, and more. That means you can use one streamlined system for your entire caseload (even with diverse needs and mixed groups), saving time on planning while making your therapy more organized, effective, and impactful.

Compare and Contrast | Speech Therapy Activities for Finding Similarities and Differences

Vocabulary delays are hard to treat.

We can’t possibly teach a child every word he’ll ever need to know.

That’s why The SLK Curriculum teaches word-learning strategies.

These strategies teach children and teens ABOUT vocabulary and provide them with the tools to be able to learn words more quickly and easily.

On this page, we’ll show you how to teach a child to compare and contrast different words and concepts in order to boost their vocabulary skills. We’ll show you our favorite speech therapy activities for improving their ability to find similarities and differences, thus expanding their semantic understanding.

Vocabulary Curriculum

A Structured, Ready-to-Use Program for Teaching Vocabulary Skills to Children

View the Vocabulary Curriculum

What are “Comparing and Contrasting” Skills?

For this skill, we will help children identify when things are the same or different. Then, we’ll help them
describe how two items are similar or different by comparing and contrasting aspects about those items.

Sample Therapy Goal for Comparing and Contrasting:

When presented with two stories, experiences, or perspectives, Client will tell two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different on 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Speech Therapy Activities for Comparing and Contrasting:

Here’s how we would break this skill down into a step-by-step plan for teaching a child to compare and contrast. Keep in mind that younger children may not need to go through all six of these phases.

Same or Different (Identical): When shown two identical images, Client will identify if two pictures are the same or different.
Same or Different (Not Identical): When shown two images that represent the same thing but look different (such as two pictures of different dogs), Client will identify if the two pictures represent the same concept or different concepts.
How are they Similar: When two objects are named, Client will name at least two ways that they are similar when given possible similarities, such as “category, function, parts, appearance,” etc.
Comparing and Contrasting Objects: When two objects are named, Client will name two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different.
Distinguishing Shades of Meaning: When given two words with similar meanings (such as “dirty” and “filthy”), Client will tell how the meanings are similar and how they are different.
Comparing and Contrasting Stories, Experiences, and Perspectives: When presented with two stories, experiences, or perspectives, Client will tell two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different.

A Structured Curriculum for Teaching Vocabulary Skills:

Still wasting time cobbling together random therapy activities?

Ever feel like your sessions aren’t quite moving the needle for your vocabulary clients?

Don’t worry, I felt that way, too!

That’s why I created a systematic approach to vocabulary that starts with teaching individual words…

…but grows into teaching word-learning skills that ACTUALLY help children make faster progress in expanding their vocabularies.

Grab our Vocabulary Curriculum (and all of our other Curriculums) Inside the SLK Curriculum Platform:

View the Vocabulary Curriculum

Carrie Clark, Speech-Language Pathologist

About the Author: Carrie Clark, MA CCC-SLP

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’m a speech-language pathologist from Columbia, Missouri, USA. I’ve worked with children and teenagers of all ages in schools, preschools, and even my own private practice. I love digging through the research on speech and language topics and breaking it down into step-by-step plans for my followers. I graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a masters degree in Communication Disorders.

Fun Fact: I have been to the ASHA Convention several times, including twice in Boston. Did you see me? My booth in 2023 was right next to the Peachie Speechie booth with all of her fun t-shirts. I had a blast getting to meet so many of my followers face-to-face! Working online makes it difficult to feel connected to my customers so it was nice to see all of you!

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5 Comments

unscramble words February 11, 2024 at 11:09 pm - Reply

Fantastic breakdown, Carrie! Your step-by-step plan makes teaching “Comparing and Contrasting” skills a breeze. Curious, any anecdotes from your private practice that really highlight the impact of these lessons?
fnf March 13, 2024 at 2:02 am - Reply

I discovered that these techniques were quite successful in assisting my daughter in growing her vocabulary, encouraging critical thinking, and gaining a deeper comprehension of parallels and contrasts.
Global Entreprenurial University April 23, 2024 at 1:46 am - Reply

What are the fundamental components of “Comparing and Contrasting” skills as applied to children’s education?
- Kena Roth April 29, 2024 at 11:13 am - Reply
  
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driving directions July 5, 2024 at 2:09 am - Reply

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