Guest Post by Kathryn of Kids Games for Speech Therapy
As parents, we know strong communication skills are one of the most important foundation skills that we give our kids. So much is riding on language in later years.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, my job is to help when kids need an extra boost. Families often ask me to recommend toys and games . Gadgets and expensive toys have their place but for the most part, you need fun time to interact with your kids and a few basic props to make it great!
Here are my top 3 ideas (and I bet you have them at home already!)
1. Nursery Rhymes
These are not technically a game but they have to be my number one activity. They develop so many important areas of pre-language skills.
Teaching your child traditional songs and rhymes such as the Mother Goose Rhymes expands their vocabulary, develops attention and listening skills and gives them an early awareness of the rhythms, rhymes and cadence in speech.
Tip: Mix it up to get benefits for both of you. Put the CD of rhymes on in the car when you need peace and quiet then later, spend time together singing rhymes and joining in action songs.
2. Shape Sorter
Traditionally this toy teaches shapes and colors but in the early years I use it for something more. Turntaking is an important communication skill, (so we don’t all talk over each other!) We teach it first though play.
Place the sorter between you on the floor. Post in a shape saying “Mommy’s turn” then help your child to post in a shape saying “Your turn”. Keep going like this until they understand that you are posting in turns.
Tip: This also works great with building block towers or even cleaning up toys into the toybox!
3. Blowing Bubbles
No Speechie could survive without bubbles! They are fun, kids love to join in and we use them all the time.
If your child is at the first words stage – these are for you. Take the bubbles out and have fun. Make it exciting as you watch them float away together and ham it up as you chase and “pop” them.
Next time you play, pause as you draw the wand. Look at your child right before you blow, using this moment of anticipation to say “bubbles?” or “more?” Then go right ahead, blow the bubbles and have fun. Each time, make the pause longer, looking at your child with excited eyes, paused to blow before saying “more?”.
I have heard plenty of first words when a child can’t wait any longer and tells Mommy “more” or “pop”!
Tip: If your child is not ready for words yet. The excitement and together time you get with this activity strengthens the playful bond that will help you when your child is ready to talk.
Kathryn of Kids Games for Speech Therapy is a Speech and Language Therapist and Mama to a busy bundle of toddler fun!
She enjoys crafting and creating printables for Speech Therapy and you can typically find her sitting at the laptop late into the night, trying to put the finishing touches to the latest download to make it “more than perfect”.
Originally from the UK she now lives in Ireland, sometimes dreaming of sunnier days but mostly enjoying the green fields and country way of life.