The Role of Play in Speech and Language Therapy
WHY PLAY-BASED THERAPY?
At Barnes Speech and Language Services we frequently take a play-based approach to therapy. My first introduction to this approach occurred during an internship I completed during graduate school. Formerly, I had envisioned speech therapy as a service that was structure-filled; an activity that involved sitting at a table going through flashcards or filling out worksheets. Perhaps you have thought this too. But speech and language therapy can encompass so much more than those structured tasks!
Did you know that play-based treatment sessions increase the likelihood of rapid progress and set the child up for greater opportunities for success? Children learn best within a context that is meaningful to them. Unlike sitting at a table and drilling cards or completing worksheets, play is a natural and meaningful learning environment for children. Incorporating play into therapy also aids in the reduction of unwanted behaviors, since the child will be engaged in an activity that is intrinsically motivating to them. The activities worked on and the games played should be centered around the child’s needs and preferences. In my experience, child-centered, play-based therapy provides the richest environment for speech and language growth and exploration.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
A play-based therapy session might involve a vast array of fun-filled activities, including a scavenger hunt, a game of catch, an obstacle course, pretend play with a variety of age-appropriate toys, bubbles, board games, jumping jacks, swings, and any other preferred games. A casual observer probably perceives such a session merely as play, and it is play – but there is also a great deal of learning and communication transpiring.
A child can learn new vocabulary, such as “ball”, “go”, and “my turn”, during a game of catch. A toy barn with farm animals can be utilized for teaching spatial concepts like “in”, “on”, “behind”, “in front of”, “between”, and “next to” to early elementary-age children or for modeling animal sounds for our babies and toddlers. Scavenger hunts are a fantastic play routine for targeting increased sentence length, new vocabulary, or challenging sounds. The list of play-based therapy activities could go on indefinitely.
Now, emphasizing the benefits of play-based therapy doesn’t mean that drill practice has no place in speech and language treatment. In fact, aiming to obtain 100 repetitions of a target sound or structure within a 30-minute session is an excellent goal, as drilling and repetition are the keys to success. However, while some children are happy to sit at a table and drill new and challenging material, others simply cannot tolerate sitting still for relatively long periods of time. A significant number of children learn more efficiently and are better regulated when they are up and moving around. So, don’t be surprised if your child’s speech sessions look primarily like play!
SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT DURING PLAY AT HOME
The concept of targeting speech and language goals during play should not be confined to the therapy room. Outlined below are several ways to facilitate speech and language development in home and family life.
Follow your child’s lead. Observe what activities and toys interest your child and engage with them during these preferred activities. If your child loves that one toy piggy bank that sings when you push its nose, find new and unique ways to play with it for as long as it holds their attention.
Model. Model new vocabulary and language structures during naturalistic play routines without putting any expectations or pressure on your child to repeat the words and phrases back to you. For example, as each toy farm animal gets placed in the barn, model “piggy goes in”, “cow goes in”, etc. Or for children who quickly become frustrated, modeling “I need help” before providing the assistance they need can be incredibly beneficial in averting their frustration both in the present and in the future.
Play turn-taking games. Turn-taking during play not only teaches children how to socially interact with others during play routines, but also teaches them the fundamental concept of turn-taking used in conversation and other higher-level interactions. Turn-taking can easily be practiced during play with bubbles or board games using “It’s MY turn” and “It’s YOUR turn”.
Sing songs. Singing is an immensely powerful tool in speech and language development, as it provides repetition of words and phrases, exposure to new vocabulary, and ample opportunities for children to articulate a variety of speech sounds. Singing doesn’t have to be limited to popular children’s songs like “The Wheels on the Bus” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” either! Almost anything can be put to a catchy melody.
Read books. Introduction to physical books is crucial for early literacy development. While reading books with your child, have him turn the pages, point to objects and concepts you name, or fill in repetitive phrases. Some of my favorite books for language development are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and the Dr. Seuss books.
Lastly, if your child loves a certain song, toy, book, or play routine, continue to utilize that preferred activity for as long as it holds their interest. Through engaging play activities, your child will readily acquire new speech sounds, vocabulary, and grammar, while at the same time enjoying one of the pastimes children love best.