Download 15 ways of making articulation homework fun!

15 WAYS OF MAKING ARTICULATION HOMEWORK FUN! •
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Board games: This is a classic way of drilling with flashcards. This can be easily
implemented by parents at home, as most children own some type of board game. The
parents should also play the board game with the child so it is more motivating and
special for the child. The parent should also draw an articulation flashcard and say the
word to provide the child with auditory reinforcement of the correct production. The
parent might want to say a word incorrectly on purpose once in a while so the child can
catch him or her and correct the error - this teaches self-monitoring, and children love
it when adults make mistakes and they can correct them.
Memory card game: This is another simple way of making speech homework more fun. The
parents simply use the flashcards provided by a speech and language pathologist to play
a memory game. The child uncovers the flashcard and tries to get a match while doing
articulation drills.
Hopscotch: Parents can play this game in two different ways. One way is to actually
draw a hopscotch court with a chalk outside or to draw one on the piece of paper. The
child will throw a rock or a paper wad (when playing the paper hopscotch) then say the
word multiple times from the flashcard determined by the number the rock or the paper
ball ended on.
Bucket ball: Parents can play this game using multiple small buckets or cups. The
targeted words are written on pieces of paper that are rolled into small balls. The
child draws a paper ball, opens it and reads (or repeats) the targeted word. When
produced correctly, the child can crumple the paper back into a ball and throw it into
one of the buckets/cups.
Egg hunt: Parents can write targeted words on pieces of paper and put the pieces
inside plastic eggs. The child is asked to find the hidden eggs. Upon opening an egg,
the child reads (or repeats) the words inside the egg.
Lights out: Parents hide flashcards or written words on pieces of paper in a dark room
and ask the child to find them using a flashlight. The child drills with the found
words.
Make up silly stories: This can be played by the whole family. Each family member
draws a few flashcards or written words and makes up his or her own story. (Older
children can write them down.) The family meets after a few minutes to listen to all the
stories. The stories can be audio or video recorded so the child then can retell each
story for more practice.
Word challenge: This also can be played by the whole family. Each member is asked to
come up with as many words as possible, starting or ending with given sound, within two
minutes.
Make up silly songs: Similar to making up silly stories but this time the child
and/or family are asked to make up songs.
Design your flashcards: This art project involves creating personalized flashcards
with targeted words. The parents and children can draw, color in or cut out pictures
from the magazines to create their own cool flashcards. Parents and children can then
trade their cards to practice different phonemes (sounds) at the carrier phrase level
(e.g., “ I will trade my rocket card with you,” etc).
Design your own board game: This is another family art project. Children can create
their own board games by drawing a board game inside a folder and decorating it with
stickers, etc. The child plays his or her own game while drawing flashcards.
Guess what?: The parent describes the targeted words and the child guesses the word
(for example, “It is a yellow animal that quacks”).
Draw or act out words: Same as above, but the targeted words are acted out or drawn.
Design your own magazine: The child and parents can use the articulation flashcards
provided by a speech and language pathologist or their own materials to create a
magazine. The child is asked to come up with different short “articles” containing the
targeted words.
Create your own newsroom: Similar to the above, except the child is video recorded
telling news stories involving targeted words. For example, the child could be asked to
come up with news stories using the words “raccoons,” “rake” and “rain.”
Beata Klarowska, M.S. CCC-SLP
Virtual Speech Center Inc.
www.virtualspeechcenter.com
Twitter: @vspeechcenter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/virtualspeechcenter