Language delays can happen at any age and they aren’t necessarily a reason for concern, but finding some fun and engaging activities to provide some speech therapy for toddlers at home can never hurt. In this post, I have rounded up 5 fun and engaging printables and activities to promote language skills and new words in toddlers and preschoolers.
Speech-language pathologist will love these ideas too. I’m always looking for new ways to provide language development skills in an organic way while teaching.
Expressive language games
Are you looking for the best way to provide some social skills and receptive language program to your child or a group of students you tutor?
Something as simple as some highly engaging speech therapy materials like the ones below added to an early intervention program can do wonders.
Even if you’re in private practices, these games and ideas can work well on improving language disorders.
Speech disorders are not always noted in the first two or three years of development, however sometimes parents can tell whether their child is lisping, not saying many words for their age or development and more.
Word association game therapy
This game below will prove highly engaging for speech language pathologists and is perfect for a child’s speech development.
Each puzzle piece contains simple words that the child can associate with the other to build the puzzle piece.
Laminate these and use them in therapy sessions or add them to a treatment plan, they can be used over and over again. Articulation disorders can also be targeted through different games and activities, I will link to some below.
There are different ways you can target language skills and word associations.
Speech therapy activities
Young children will love these games listed below. Just choose the ones that suit your group of students and you’re good to go.
Sometimes, children will have trouble understanding the words on each picture cue, just have them repeat it once you read it out to them.
Get this FREE printable game at the end of this post.
These can also be used in small groups or during a speech therapy session.
Add them throughout the school year and in your daily routines to help the kids develop their language skills.
You don’t necessarily need a speech therapy service right away if you’re a parent, try these games listed below as they are very simple and easy to setup and will go a long way with your child if you’re trying to build their speech and language skills.
Signs of speech delay
Sometimes children will show some obvious early communication challenges, for examples they might struggle to acquire simple phrases and stick to simple words, it also depends on the child’s needs and the years of age.
You can even try online speech therapy at first if you feel that your child will benefit from it.
Therapy sessions do not need to be held in person. Online therapy can work wonders and you’ll be saving a lot of time on the commute. It’s a great place to start!
Speech therapy techniques
When you first start a child speech therapy program, you have to incorporate a child’s needs and speech sounds.
If those aren’t targeted yet, buy some books and soon enough the child will have a favorite book and you can add that to their individual education plan to help them along in building speech and language skills.
Speech Therapy Parent hand out for toddlers and preschoolers.
Get these FREE from the Gift of the Gab.
From the author: These free handouts are unlike any other! Each parent friendly page teaches caregivers how to implement a speech therapy strategy at home. These handouts also contain practical tips from a real-life SLP-Mom and guides parents through implementing each strategy with their individual child.
Speech Therapy for Toddlers: Common First Words Spoken.
This list is such a great start to when you need some quick reference to what words toddlers should be able to say at this age.
From the author: An easy to read handout to give to parents, grandparents, teachers, and educators listing the most commonly spoken first words.
Get this list from Scanlon Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy Printable Worksheets for Preschoolers and Toddlers.
From the author: Speech therapy printable worksheets are a fun way to target virtually any goal! These open-ended reinforcers have a winter twist to make speech practice fun for toddlers and preschoolers.
Get these FREE from Eva Lee SLP.
Word association game therapy
Click the link between the >>> <<<< to get your copy of these super fun printable puzzles.
Before you grab your free pack you agree to the following:
- This set is for personal and classroom use only.
- This printable set may not be sold, hosted, reproduced, or stored on any other website or electronic retrieval system.
- Graphics Purchased and used with permission from
- All material provided on this blog is copyright protected.
More speech therapy resources:
- Social Pragmatic Goals Speech Therapy (Free Printable Goal Sheets)
- 20 Best K Words Speech Therapy Printables and Games
- S Sounds Speech Therapy Feed the Fox Game Printable
