Summer Fun- How to Boost Language Skills Without It Feeling Like Homework!

The summer months off of school are a fun and exciting time for kids, but it also often means a break in therapy for some children. Parents often look for ways to help their child stay on track over the break, but who wants to sit and do worksheets when it's sunny and warm outside? Here are some FUN ideas of ways you can help continue to build language skills into those long summer days, without it feeling like a chore! 

Water Play: Use pools, sprinklers, or water balloons to work on turn-taking, following directions, or targeting action words

Nature Scavenger Hunts: Go on walks! Nature provides a wealth of conversation topics, as well as opportunities to label and describe. 

Sidewalk Chalk and Bubbles: Draw scenes and describe them or work on requesting (ie- “I want blue chalk” or “more bubbles please”). 

Read Regularly: Check out books related to summer topics at your local library. Pause to discuss the story while reading, work on vocabulary by naming pictures, ask your child to retell the story after reading to work on expressive language and sequencing. 

Theme Days: Have special days throughout the summer with themes, such as Gardening Day or Camping Day. Use these as opportunities to build vocabulary, narrate what you are doing using new words and descriptions, or read themed stories together. 

“Field Trips”: Plan special days to visit local attractions! The zoo, playgrounds, beaches, and libraries are fantastic places to see and experience new things. Comment on what you are doing/seeing together and ask/answer questions. 

Imaginative Play: Use toys or puppets to act out scenarios, which encourages social communication and creative language. Have a tea party or picnic outside (pretend or real!) and work on conversation. The possibilities are endless when you use your imagination! 

Play Games: Board games are a fantastic way to teach social skills, following directions and turn-taking. Games like I-Spy support language skills by practicing describing and using/understanding language. Creating a Bingo card to use while doing other activities can also be a fun way to learn and practice new vocabulary and naming items. 

I've linked some FUN summer resources below:

Summer Months Speech & Language Calendars (June, July, August) | TPT (Free)

Summer BINGO game by Fun First Therapy | TPT

Summer Memory Match by Fun First Therapy | TPT

Summer Seek and Find Scene by Fun First Therapy | TPT

The overall recommendation- have FUN! Language practice can be incorporated into any everyday activity. Let your child lead the way through play and look for those opportunities to incorporate language skills!

I hope you enjoyed this “funtastic” blog post! 

Clara Klap, M.S., CCC-SLP