Games to Use in Speech Sessions

Speech games are flexible because the goals of the games are to encourage children to talk and practice their trouble spots. Different types of games are used for speech practice and therapy.

Organizing the Objects

• Gather a variety of objects and talk to the child about the objects using size, color and appearance words. The child who is having trouble with a specific speech pattern, such as "S" pronunciation, will be presented with a group of objects which allow him to repeat the "S" sound often. Encourage the child to organize the objects into different categories until the child grows bored with the game.

I Spy

• Play I Spy with the child, either with a group of objects, in a classroom or outside. Choose items which help the child focus on her troubled speech areas. This game works in speech therapy because it focuses on helping the child use a variety of words in question form, it increases the child's observation skills and it encourages the child to describe what she is viewing. Play a few rounds until the child grows bored with the game.

Describe the Object

• Have a race with this game. Give the child an object or picture and encourage him to use as many words as possible to describe what he is seeing. Describe your own picture or object and compare lists to find out who has the longer list of words. After the lists are generated, compare the lists and find out if there are any words which describe both objects or pictures. Create a new list of combined words. This activity helps students repeat sounds and associate the visual speech concept with the auditory concept as the student reads each list aloud.

Describe That Coupon

• Gather coupons and help the child read each coupon. Ask pointed questions, such as, "How many boxes of cereal does the coupon say we need to buy?" This activity works well for children who need to practice plurals in speech, such as two for one, cents or dollars.