5 Simple & Fun Speech & Language Activities to Try at Home
Hi there, amazing parents & caregivers!
We know that supporting your child’s communication journey can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be! Speech and language development happens best when it’s woven into everyday moments, through play, connection, and joy!
Here are five easy, neurodiversity-affirming, child-led, and family-centered activities you can try at home. These ideas are designed to celebrate your child’s strengths, meet them where they are, and make learning fun and functional for the whole family.
1. Sensory Bin Adventures
Why it works:
Sensory play is a fantastic way to engage your child while naturally encouraging communication.
How to do it:
- Fill a container with dry beans, rice, or pasta, and add some of your child’s favorite small toys, cups, or shovels.
- Let your child lead the play! As they explore, narrate what’s happening:
- “Let’s scoop the beans!”
- “Uh oh, they spilled!”
- “Look, a car! Fast car!”
- For Gestalt Language Processors: Use simple, repetitive phrases like “Let’s get more beans!” or “It’s all done!”
- For Analytic Language Processors: Break down language into smaller parts, like naming objects and describing actions.
Pro Tip: Follow your child’s interests. If they’re into dinosaurs, add some dino toys and talk about stomping or roaring!
2. Counting Games
Why it works:
Counting builds anticipation, attention, and turn-taking skills while introducing numbers.
How to do it:
- Use counting during everyday routines:
- Brushing teeth: “1, 2, 3, all done!”
- Running games: “1, 2, 3, go!”
- For Gestalt Language Processors: Use consistent counting scripts like “1, 2, 3, let’s go!” paired with actions.
- For Analytic Language Processors: Expand by adding more numbers or asking, “What comes after 3?”
Pro Tip: Keep it playful! Turn counting into a game by racing, jumping, or clapping together.
3. Sign Language for Connection
Why it works:
Sign language gives your child a way to communicate while building confidence and reducing frustration.
How to do it:
- Start with simple, functional signs like “more” and “please.”
- Model the sign while saying the word. For example, “More?” while signing and handing them a snack.
- For Gestalt Language Processors: Pair signs with short, repetitive phrases like “let’s open it!”
- For Analytic Language Processors: Encourage them to say the word along with the sign.
Pro Tip: Celebrate every attempt, even if it’s not perfect. Communication is about connection, not perfection!
4. Choices, Choices, Choices
Why it works:
Offering choices empowers your child and encourages them to use words or gestures to express their preferences.
How to do it:
- Instead of asking, “Do you want a snack?” try, “Do you want an apple or a banana?”
- Hold up both options and model the words: “Apple? Banana?”
- For Gestalt Language Processors: Use simple scripts like “Let’s get apple or banana?”
- For Analytic Language Processors: Encourage them to repeat the word or make the initial sound (“Aaa” or “apo” for apple).
Pro Tip: Always honor their choice, even if it is through pointing, eye gaze or word approximations. This builds trust and confidence in their ability to communicate.
5. Play “Life” with a Dollhouse (or Any Toy!)
Why it works:
Pretend play is a natural way to build language by narrating everyday actions.
How to do it:
- Use a dollhouse, barn, or even action figures to act out daily routines.
- Narrate the play:
- “Up, up, up the stairs!”
- “Knock, knock! Who’s there?”
- “Mmm, it’s dinner time! Let’s eat!”
- For Gestalt Language Processors: Use repetitive phrases like “Knock, knock!” or “Let’s go up the stairs! There’s so many!”
- For Analytic Language Processors: Expand by describing actions or asking questions like, “What’s the baby eating?”
Pro Tip: Let your child take the lead. If they want the superhero to cook dinner, go with it!
A Few Gentle Reminders
- Be Patient: Progress takes time, and every child learns at their own pace. Celebrate the small wins!
- Follow Their Lead: Let your child’s interests guide the activities. If they’re not into one idea, try another.
- Focus on Connection: The goal isn’t perfection, it’s building trust, joy, and communication together.
I hope these ideas inspire you to turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection and growth. Remember, you’re doing an amazing job, and your child is lucky to have you cheering them on.
For more information and tips on how to narrate language with analytic and gestalt language processors, check out some of our resources linked below:
If you have any questions or want to share your favorite at-home activities, I’d love to hear from you!
SHOLEH SHAHINFAR
M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
