It can be difficult to get your child to work on their speech sounds at home. One great way to accomplish this is to make it into a fun game! Here are some activities that you can utilize at home to help your child practice his/her articulation skills.
Articulation tic-tac-toe
Play regular tic-tac-toe, but add in some speech target sounds to practice before each turn!
2. Articulation Bowling
Put target sound pictures on bowling pins, whatever pins your child knocks down are the sounds she practices.
You could also just have your child say some target words and then take turns bowling!
3. Scavenger hunt of target words
Hide some pictures that contain target words or pictures, have a scavenger hunt and try to find them all! Have your child say the words as he finds them!
4. Find pictures in a room using flash light
Hang pictures on wall prior to this game
Turn the lights off and use a flashlight to find the cards! Say the word/name the picture as you find them!
5. Car track with cards/pictures of target words
Place cards with pictures or words that contain your child’s target sound in a track on the ground.
Your child can drive a car (or ride a big car) over them and say each word as they drive over it.
6. Hopscotch
Place cards with target words or pictures on the ground.
Your child must say it with the correct speech sound, then he can hop to that card.
7. Egg hunt
Hide plastic eggs with articulation targets in them.
As your child finds the eggs, they practice their speech sounds.
8. Practice while playing your child’s favorite board game
Choose whatever game your child likes, or allow them to pick the game this day!
Practice speech sounds before each turn.
9. Catch with a ball
Each time your child catches the ball, they must say their target sound/word!
10. Memory match
Print off target pictures (two of each).
Place them upside down and take turns flipping over TWO cards at a time, label each card for extra practice.
When you get two of a kind, you have found a match!
Play until all the cards have been matched.
11. Simon Says
Say a word or phrase that contains your child’s speech sounds.
Have them repeat it exactly as you say.
You can pair this with silly actions such as standing on one leg, or holding both arms up, to make it more fun!
12. Bury objects/cards
Hide cards (or objects) that contain target sounds in a box of sand, beads, etc.
Have your child dig for the cards or objects.
13. Word search (for older children)
You could make your own word search or find one online that contains your child’s speech targets.
As they complete it, have them practice their sound.
14. Hide and seek
Play this with cards/objects that begin/end with your child’s target speech sounds.
Hide objects around the room/your home and take turns finding them.
Practice saying what each object is when you and your child find it!
15. Say a magic word or sound
Each time he walks into the living room or opens the refrigerator, he has to say a “magic word”/target sound to get in!
Put a card or picture of the sound wherever your child visits frequently.
Each time they go there, they must say that sound!
16. Color a picture
Color while practicing speech sounds!
17. Make it with playdough
Choose a target word/card out of a bowl or hat.
Have your child say the word, make it with playdough and then say it again.
18. Find target pictures/words in your child’s favorite books
Make it a game (whoever finds the most wins!)
Or just look at the story together and see how many pictures/words you can find that start with the sound they are working on in speech therapy.
19. Bingo dauber sheet
Draw some plain circles on a piece of paper.
Have your child use a bingo dauber or marker to color in the circles each time she practices her target speech sounds.
You could also print out pictures and draw dots on pictures of target sounds.
20. Go Fish
Add paper clips to target cards/pictures and then attach a magnet with string to a stick or children’s fishing pole.
Have your child “go fishing” and then have her say each target word 1-2 times after she catches it.
21. Practice in the car!
Try to find things that start or end with your child’s target sounds while driving.
See if your child can find things that contain the sound they are working on as well!.
22. Sidewalk chalk (or indoor chalk if you have a chalkboard)
Have your child draw cards with target sounds and then see if they can draw them (or write the word if they are older) with chalk.
23. Bingo!
Play bingo but make your own cards with pictures that begin/end with the sound your child is working on in speech.
24. Building while practicing articulation
Have your child say a target word, then add a block.
Build with legos or blocks and see how tall you can stack them before they all fall down!
25. Jenga
Each time your child produces their target sound/word correctly, they get to take a turn playing jenga!
You could also attach small words/cards to some different jenga pieces. Whenever they pull that block, they have to say the word accurately before placing it on top of the tower.
It is important to practice articulation skills outside of speech therapy. By adding some of the above games to a weekly or monthly calendar, it can help your child achieve their speech therapy goals faster, while allowing them to play a fun game!
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s speech and/or language function, please reach out to one of us here at The Aubin Aphasia Speech and Language Center.
~ Victoria King, MA CCC-SLP
