Each May, Better Speech and Hearing Month shines a spotlight on the importance of communication, connection, and early support for speech, language, and hearing development. Whether a child is learning new words, building confidence in conversation, or improving listening skills, families play a powerful role in helping communication grow every day.
As summer begins, families can take advantage of school being out and outdoor adventures to encourage communication in natural ways. Here are two easy activities to try:
1. Story Walk Adventures
Take a favorite book outdoors and combine reading and movement into a fun new activity. Read one page at a time while walking through the park, backyard, or neighborhood. Pause to ask questions like:
- “What do you think will happen next?”
- “Can you find something that looks like this picture?”
- “How would this character feel?”
This builds vocabulary, listening, comprehension, and conversation skills while keeping kids active and engaged.
2. Sidewalk Chalk Word Games
Use sidewalk chalk to draw letters, simple words, or pictures on the driveway or sidewalk. Younger children can practice naming objects or sounds, while older kids can create rhyming words, categories, or silly sentences.
Movement-based learning helps keep children engaged while supporting speech, language, and early literacy development.
Better Speech and Hearing Month reminds us that communication happens everywhere- not just in therapy sessions or classrooms. Small moments spent talking, listening, reading, and playing together can make a big difference all summer long.
OTHER BLOGS:
The Impact of Speech Therapy on Development – Kids Place Therapy Services
