90 Speech Therapy Ideas for Engaging Children

Speech Therapy Ideas For Engaging Children

By Speech Therapy Teacher  

As a speech therapist, it's important to keep children engaged during therapy sessions to maximize their learning potential. One effective way to do this is through hands-on activities. Here are some tips for keeping a child's attention through hands-on activities in speech therapy:

Choose activities that align with the child's interests: Children are more likely to stay engaged in activities that they find interesting. Talk to the child and their family about their likes and dislikes, and incorporate activities that align with their interests. For example, if the child is interested in animals, use picture books or games with animals.

Use manipulatives: Manipulatives are hands-on materials that children can manipulate, such as blocks, puzzles, or playdough. Incorporate these materials into your therapy sessions to keep the child's hands and minds active.

Use sensory materials: Sensory materials like sand, rice, or water can be used in therapy to create a multisensory experience for the child. This type of activity can be especially helpful for children who have sensory processing difficulties.

Use games: Games can be a fun way to engage children in therapy. Incorporate games like board games, card games, or interactive computer games that target the child's speech and language goals.

Allow for movement: Children often have a lot of energy, and incorporating movement into therapy can help them stay engaged. Activities like obstacle courses, yoga, or dance can be used to keep the child's attention while also targeting speech and language goals.

Use technology: Technology can be a great tool for keeping children engaged. Interactive apps and games can be used to target specific speech and language goals while keeping the child's attention.

Make therapy sessions fun: Create a positive and fun atmosphere during therapy sessions. Use humor, praise, and positive reinforcement to keep the child motivated and engaged.

Provide visual aids: Use visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and videos to help the child understand the target sound or word.

Follow the child's lead: Let the child guide the therapy session by following their interests and incorporating them into the therapy activities.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. As a speech therapist, it's important to be flexible and adapt your therapy activities to meet the needs and interests of each child.