Play based therapy is a great way to have fun with your kiddos while also helping them improve language skills! Read more about two activities you can do while you’re at home
Activity One: Language ‘Horse’ (or ‘Pig’ for a shorter game)
Materials:
- A Basketball (or other ball)
- A hoop (I used a laundry basket)
- Sidewalk chalk (or if you are playing inside you can make it off with tape)
Directions:
- Pick out 20 different vocabulary words (this can be a predetermined list from school; words from a book your child is reading; or you can google vocabulary words and your child’s grade for a list)
- Separate your playing area into four squares
- Write five of the words from your list in each square
- In the first square, you can have your child give definitions
- Then in the second square, have them give a synonym
- In square three, have them give an antonym
- Finally, in the fourth square, have them use the word in a sentence
- After your child completes the language activity in that square they can shoot
- Then their playing partner will need to make the same shot in the same way if they make it; if they lose it then they lose a letter in the word “Horse”
- First person to lose all their letters loses the game!
Activity Two : Catch It Categories
Materials:
- A ball (You can do this with a water balloon for some extra suspense)
- Some space
Directions:
- Start approximately 3 feet apart and name a category
- Categories such as: Animals, Food, School supplies are easier options
- If you need a challenge you can try words that start with “R” or more specific categories E.G. (kitchen Supplies)
- Pass the ball to your partner naming an item from the category
- Then both teammates take a step back
- Name another item and take another step back
- Keep playing until someone drops the item
In both activities, it is important to have fun and be safe. Happy learning!
Written by: Sarah Coulter, MS CF-SLP
