How Play Supports Speech Development in Children

At More Than Speech in Winter Park, we know that learning doesn’t just happen in a structured setting—it happens everywhere, especially through play! Playtime is a powerful tool for supporting children’s speech and language development. Through different types of play, children learn new words, practice communication, and build foundational skills that support language growth. Let’s dive into some of the ways play can help your child’s speech development.

1. Pretend Play: Building Vocabulary and Storytelling Skills Pretend play, also known as imaginative play, involves children creating stories and acting out different scenarios. This could be anything from pretending to be a chef in a play kitchen to playing house with dolls. When children engage in pretend play, they use and expand their vocabulary as they name objects, describe actions, and interact with their play partners. This type of play also encourages storytelling skills, as children learn to sequence events, understand cause and effect, and express ideas.

2. Singing Songs: Enhancing Word Recall and Rhythm Singing familiar songs and rhymes with children is not only fun, but it also plays a significant role in their language development. Songs with repetitive lyrics help children recognize patterns in language, which aids in word recall and understanding rhythm. Singing also exposes children to new vocabulary in a way that’s easy to remember and enjoyable to repeat. Many speech therapists at More Than Speech incorporate music into therapy sessions to support children’s sound awareness and verbal expression.

3. Building Blocks: Teaching Descriptive Language and Following Directions Building blocks, like LEGO® bricks, are more than just a fun way to spend an afternoon—they’re also an excellent tool for teaching descriptive language and following directions. When children are asked to build something specific or to describe what they’re making, they learn to use descriptive words for colors, shapes, sizes, and actions. Additionally, following instructions to build a particular structure helps children understand sequencing and language comprehension, both of which are essential for effective communication.

4. Puzzle Play: Encouraging Problem-Solving and Language Comprehension Puzzles are a fantastic way to build problem-solving skills, but they also promote language comprehension. As children figure out how puzzle pieces fit together, they learn to focus, pay attention to details, and persevere. When working on puzzles with a caregiver or therapist, children practice following instructions, asking questions, and learning spatial language such as "next to," "under," and "beside." This type of play supports language comprehension and helps children feel more confident communicating about their activities.

Why Play is Essential for Speech Therapy At More Than Speech, we recognize the value of incorporating play into our speech therapy sessions. Through play, children feel comfortable and engaged, which allows them to naturally practice their speech and language skills. We tailor our sessions to each child’s unique needs, integrating activities like pretend play, singing, building blocks, and puzzles to encourage communication and boost language development.

Play is not only enjoyable for children but also incredibly beneficial for their speech and language growth. At More Than Speech, we are committed to helping children reach their full potential by using play-based therapy techniques that are both effective and fun. If you’d like to learn more about how play can support your child’s development or want to explore our therapy options, feel free to reach out. Together, we can create a strong foundation for your child’s communication journey!