Motivation is the key for children to practice speech drills, and sometimes incorporating speech therapy or speech homework into a fun activity or game can make a difference. Below are some fun ideas for incorporating speech drills into different games/activities at home:
Design your flashcards: This art project involves creating personalized flashcards with targeted words. The parents and children can draw, color in or cut out pictures from the magazines to create their own cool flashcards. Parents and children can then trade their cards to practice different phonemes (sounds) at the carrier phrase level (e.g., “ I will trade my rocket card with you,” etc).
Board games: This is a classic way of drilling with flashcards. This can be easily implemented by parents at home, as most children own some type of board game. The parents should also play the board game with the child so it is more motivating and special for the child. The parent should also draw an articulation flashcard and say the word to provide the child with auditory reinforcement of the correct production. The parent might want to say a word incorrectly on purpose once in a while so the child can catch him or her and correct the error - this teaches self-monitoring, and children love it when adults make mistakes and they can correct them.
Memory card game: This is another simple way of making speech homework more fun. The parents simply use the flashcards created by the student or parent with the target sound to play a memory game. The child uncovers the flashcard and tries to get a match while doing articulation drills.
Hopscotch: Parents can play this game in two different ways. One way is to actually draw a hopscotch court with a chalk outside or to draw one on the piece of paper. The child will throw a rock or a paper wad (when playing the paper hopscotch) then say the word multiple times from the flashcard determined by the number the rock or the paper ball ended on.
Bucket ball: Parents can play this game using multiple small buckets or cups. The targeted words are written on pieces of paper that are rolled into small balls. The child draws a paper ball, opens it and reads (or repeats) the targeted word. When produced correctly, the child can crumple the paper back into a ball and throw it into one of the buckets/cups.
Egg hunt: Parents can write targeted words on pieces of paper and put the pieces inside plastic eggs. The child is asked to find the hidden eggs. Upon opening an egg, the child reads (or repeats) the words inside the egg.
Lights out: Parents hide flashcards or written words with the target sounds on pieces of paper in a dark room and ask the child to find them using a flashlight. The child reads the words and says the words in sentences as he/she finds the cards.
Make up silly stories: This can be played by the whole family. Each family member draws a few flashcards or written words and makes up his or her own story. (Older children can write them down.) The family meets after a few minutes to listen to all the stories. The stories can be audio or video recorded so the child then can retell each story for more practice.
Word challenge: This also can be played by the whole family. Each member is asked to come up with as many words as possible, starting or ending with given sound, within two minutes.
Make up silly songs: Similar to making up silly stories but this time the child and/or family are asked to make up songs.
Design your own board game: This is another family art project. Children can create their own board games by drawing a board game inside a folder and decorating it with stickers, etc. The child plays his or her own game while drawing flashcards.
Guess what?: The parent describes the targeted words and the child guesses the word (for example, “It is a yellow animal that quacks”).
Draw or act out words: Same as above, but the targeted words are acted out or drawn.
Design your own magazine: The child and parents can use the articulation flashcards provided by a speech and language pathologist or their own materials to create a magazine. The child is asked to come up with different short “articles” containing the targeted words.
Create your own newsroom: Similar to the above, except the child is video recorded telling news stories involving targeted words. For example, the child could be asked to come up with news stories using the words “raccoons,” “rake” and “rain.”
Take a walk: Work on specific articulation issues with a fun walk around the block. As you walk with your child through the neighborhood, a park, or a shopping center, ask your child to look for things with your target sound. You look too, and see who can spot the most objects. For example, if your child needs help working in the sound of “r”, look for a “tree” or “bird” or “red car”.
I Spy: Remember this game? Take turns with your child describing an object that you see around you. Choose an object with the target sound without actually saying it out loud. Have your child guess the object by asking you questions. Have your child pose questions to you in complete sentences for added practice.
Plan and Prepare a Meal: Start by brainstorming ideas for dinner. Ask your child to participate by naming foods and drinks that you may serve. He or she can classify each food as you go, is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? As you prepare the food, get your child involved in the cooking process by naming what you are doing…chopping, slicing apples, twirling noodles, whatever the activity may be. While he may seem like he’s helping you in the kitchen, he will actually be improving his speech and articulation skills at the same time.
Road Trip: Use a long car ride as a “classroom” to perfect articulation skills. As you’re packing your bags, ask your child to add something to the suitcase by describing it’s function. For example, “find something that you wear when swimming in a pool”? Or, “find something that makes a “sssssss” sound when sprayed?” (Sunscreen), or “something that makes a flip-flop sound”. Have your child help label each clothing item that he places in the suitcase. As you begin your roadtrip, ask you child to help identify street signs or landmarks. Not only will this activity help fill the time on the road, it will help increase his articulation skills and improve his communication.
Online Games and Activities: These are some things we have done remotely during speech.
Fun things to do to practice speech and language skills:
Many different worksheets:
Links to online games:
Articulation games online
Articulation pictures online
Articulation, grammar, and vocabulary games online
Phonological and phonemic awareness