Have you ever wondered why your speech pathologist uses a specific toy or activity to guide their speech and/or language activities with your kiddo? Play-based speech therapy uses a fun toy or activity to keep your child engaged while practicing a target skill – vocabulary, speech sound development, and so on.
There are a few different types of play-based therapy. See if you can recognize the type of play in your next session!
- Functional play: figuring out how common objects function and are used;
- Outdoor and movement play: activities that involve physical movement;
- Construction play: building with objects like blocks;
- Game play with rules: like board games that have specific sets of rules; and
- Symbolic, dramatic, and pretend play: common activities of your normal routine done as play.
Now that fall is here, even though it may not feel like it in Southern California, we’ve come up with a list of play(ful) fall ideas for you and your child. Follow our Facebook page to see more ideas throughout the month!
- Play farm – read a book or play with a farm set to practice animal noises, which works on your child’s articulation.
- Fall word cards – use objects, food, and more to develop your child’s vocabulary.
- Coloring pages – your child can practice sounds by sounding out the names of the colors they use
- Get crafty! Autumn trees, sensory play bins, play-doh pumpkin patches, and more!
- Practice fine motor skills, teamwork, and language with this fall-themed board game for preschoolers!
- And just for fun, an amazing post of Halloween activities focused on math and literacy!
