Collaboration Between Therapists and Preschool Teachers: What It Looks Like (and Why It Works)

Strong collaboration between therapists and preschool teachers turns everyday classroom moments into therapy-rich opportunities. When speech and occupational therapists coordinate with teachers, goals are embedded into circle time, play, and routines—so children practice skills all day, not just during sessions. At OrbRom Center, we partner closely with preschools in Phnom Penh to align targets, track progress, and support families with clear, practical plans.

How Collaboration Between Therapists and Preschool Teachers Improves Daily Learning

Joint planning means everyone works from the same playbook. Teachers share classroom observations; therapists translate them into strategies—like visual models for language, sensory breaks for regulation, and scaffolded fine-motor tasks. This approach complements evidence-based guidance on building inclusive learning environments and supports early, ongoing monitoring rather than a “wait and see” approach. See related reads on inclusive classrooms and why early intervention matters.

Collaboration Between Therapists and Preschool Teachers in Action: Simple, Powerful Routines

• Morning check-ins: A shared goal list (articulation targets, turn-taking, pencil grasp) sits on a clip-board at the door. Teachers prompt once; therapists model when they visit.

• Play centers: Therapists design center cards with sentence starters and hand-strength tasks; teachers rotate materials weekly.

• Calm corners: Co-created regulation tools and visuals (Timers, “First-Then,” “How do I feel?”) help children apply strategies independently—aligned with our guide to the Zones of Regulation for teachers.

• Mini-data in minutes: Teachers tally 3–5 trials during centers; therapists convert those tallies into trend lines and next steps. This light-touch system mirrors best practice in IEP/ILP alignment.

Services That Make School Partnerships Work

• Speech Therapy: We embed language goals into songs, story time, and play themes. Teachers get quick prompts (“model, pause, wait”) and visuals for everyday carryover. Explore more on communication and language supports.

• Occupational Therapy: We co-create sensory plans, seating, and fine-motor stations; teachers learn to grade tasks and cue self-regulation—useful alongside our tips for teaching students with ADHD.

• Preschool Program: When children attend our program or we partner with your school, goals are integrated across the day, with coaching for families and staff.

Making It Sustainable: Clear Roles, Shared Tools, Consistent Feedback

Successful collaboration between therapists and preschool teachers depends on short, frequent touchpoints (5–10 minutes), shared visuals, and simple data. Parents stay in the loop via weekly notes and quick home strategies, reinforcing progress on both speech and sensory goals. Schools also benefit from staff training and classroom audits guided by our resources on inclusive education and behavior supports.

Bottom line: When therapists and teachers plan together, children don’t just “get therapy”—they live their goals all day. That’s the power of authentic collaboration between therapists and preschool teachers.