June is almost done, school is finished and kids are excited about summer! But parents may be wondering, what are we going to do every day? Why not support your child’s speech development with some outdoor activities created especially for your own backyard!
1. Sound Scavenger Hunt
Go for a walk. Encourage your child to look for items that start with their target sound. Working on s-blends? Point out the “slide” and “swings” at the playground, find an interesting “stone”, look for an insects with “spots”, watch for someone on a “skateboard” and don’t forget to stop at the “stop” signs! For an added challenge use a repeated phrase that also includes the target sound, for example, “I spy…” This activity increases awareness of speech sounds and encourages self monitoring skills.
2. Articulation Obstacle Course
Design an obstacle course with various stations where your child must pronounce specific sounds or words correctly to move to the next challenge. For example, are you targeting the F sound? Have your child say “butterfly” clearly before jumping over a rope or “frog” before hopping into the hula hoop. Tip toe from cone to cone after pronouncing “feather” or simply make the F sound as you crawl through a tunnel. Combining physical movement with speech practice can help to engage your child and make it fun.
3. I’m Going on a Picnic
Spread out a blanket or towel on the grass. Start the game with the phrase, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m going to bring…” Brainstorm items that start with your child’s speech sound. If SH is challenging bring items such as a sheep, a pair of shoes, some shells, dishes, sushi and a fish. Don’t forget to include items that have the sound at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the word. This supports phonological awareness skills and challenges your child by introducing new places in a word to produce their speech sound.
4. Alphabet Relay Race
Write letters of the alphabet on pieces of paper and scatter them around the yard. Call out a letter, and have your child find it, say it’s sound or a word that starts with that letter, then race back to you. This game promotes letter recognition, phonics practice, and confidence by encouraging your child to engage in a playful, active way.
5. Story Time Under the Sky
Gather a blanket or a sleeping bag and some favourite books, then head outside for a story session. Choose books with repetitive phrases or rhymes to encourage participation. And of course, stress your child’s target sounds as you read. Try Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle, The Wonkey Donkey by Craig Smith or The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman. Allowing your child to hear their target sound being modelled is valuable for speech learning. For added magic read by the light of a campfire.
Speech therapy doesn’t have to be complicated. You can do it in your own backyard.