HeyDoodle Speechie Mats: A gamechanger for supporting speech therapy

Paediatric speech pathologists have welcomed the creation of a simple mum-founded creative play product that is making huge waves in the treatment of children with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) – the HeyDoodle Speechie Mat. 

With many early childhood education and care (ECEC) services offering in house allied health support, or working closely with allied health providers, the product is attracting attention in the ECEC sector too, mainly for its combination of ‘old school’ fun and creative play. 

A simple ‘draw, erase, repeat’ process of use adds to the appeal, along with the playmats being both eco-friendly and safe for children. The inclusion of non-toxic, erasable markers ensures that the mats can be used repeatedly, making them a sustainable resource for both therapists and parents.

The portability of HeyDoodle mats is another plus; they are lightweight, foldable, and come with a carry pouch, making them convenient for use in various settings and during travel. This versatility allows for consistent practice, which is crucial for effective speech therapy.

The brainchild of  Melbourne-based mother of three, Beatrice Toh, founder of HeyDoodle, a  multi-award-winning NDIS registered business, the HeyDoodle Speechie Mats have been developed with a consortium of Australian speech therapists. Each mat features a scene filled with more than 40 words of varying syllables and that correspond to a particular sound -‘K’, ‘T’ or ‘S’ – positioned in initial, medial and final sound placements.

The mats are reusable, mess-free, versatile and eco-friendly, making them perfect for high touch settings like ECEC, where they inspire imaginative young minds, enhance fine motor skills and serve as a tool to help strengthen speech development.

For three-year-old Kahlia, who lives in Wynnum Queensland with her mum Kristie, the mats have played a significant role in her speech therapy, under the guidance of Backchat Speech Pathology Head Clinician, Olwen Forker.

“When I started working with Kahlia, just before her third birthday, she was effectively non-verbal,” Ms Forker, who holds almost three decades of experience working in paediatric speech pathology explained.

“Kahlia’s language was restricted to just a few basic words and keeping her attention was a struggle. After thorough assessment, Kahlia’s Developmental Paediatrician concluded that Kahlia experiences GDD.”

“Not a ‘diagnosis’ as such but what we call a ‘wait and see’ condition – which may or may not eventuate into a diagnosis such as Autism or ADHD after five years of age– GDD occurs when a young child is significantly delayed in reaching developmental milestones in their speech and language, motor function, cognitive, play and social skills.”

“I discovered the HeyDoodle Speechie Mats after a parent brought one into the clinic and each mat has been used over and over ever since.”

The practicality of the mats, she continued, is a large part of their appeal, because they can be transported and used anywhere “and importantly, the design of the mats makes therapy fun.” 

If an activity is not fun for a child, Forker outlined, “the likelihood of development in the key milestone areas is significantly impacted.”

The S mat, teamed with a letter card, was a frequent part of Kahlia’s therapy, and within about six months – along with the help of other tools and techniques, and thanks to Mum Kristie’s dedication at home, Kahlia has made significant progress.

“I now can’t get Kahlia to be quiet… and I love it,” Kristie said.

“Kahlia is talking, singing and counting to 100 and her fine motor skills have really come a long way too. She really enjoys the colouring activities and her confidence has increased significantly.”

“Of course, it’s a journey and we’re not all the way there yet but it’s really great that such a simple yet effective product is available as a therapy tool for kids like Kahlia,” adds Kristie.

Five key benefits of the HeyDoodle Speechie Mats:

•         Targeted articulation practice – These mats focus on specific sounds (S, K, and T), which are common problem areas for children with articulation delays. They provide structured activities to help children produce these sounds correctly.

•         Multisensory learning – HeyDoodle Speechie Mats incorporate visuals, touch-and-feel elements, and interactive components (e.g., pointing, tracing, or placing objects), which engage different learning styles and reinforce correct speech production. The mats also provide opportunities to strengthen fine motor skills, and the tactile nature of drawing on silicone as opposed to paper typically appeals more to children with high sensory needs. 

•         Repetitive reinforcement – Children get multiple opportunities to practice target sounds in a fun and engaging way, helping with muscle memory and correct sound placement.

•         Play-based therapy – HeyDoodle playmats include games, puzzles, and fun themes that make speech therapy enjoyable, increasing a child’s motivation to participate.

•         Structured and progressive learning – HeyDoodle playmats are designed to progress from simple to complex word structures, allowing for gradual skill development.

•         Home Practice Support – Parents and caregivers can use these mats at home to reinforce therapy sessions, making speech practice more consistent and effective.

For more information about HeyDoodle Speechie Mats and the HeyDoodle collection of creative play products, visit heydoodle.com.au.