Building Language and Listening Skills Through Active Play

Hope you're all surviving the busy season! Here's my third idea for no-cost speech therapy activities. 

"Simon Says" is a classic game with surprising versatility, especially in speech therapy where it can be customized to support language development and listening skills. By using specific action words in "Simon Says," therapists can help children learn verbs in a hands-on, engaging way. Begin with straightforward commands such as "jump," "clap," or "stomp" to reinforce common verbs. For older children or those ready for a bit more challenge, try incorporating two-step instructions like “Simon says touch your toes and spin around.” This variation not only expands their verb vocabulary but also works on processing skills as they follow multi-step directions.

To further support comprehension and make the game more fun, add gestures to each action. For instance, when you say "Simon says stomp your feet," you can model stomping to reinforce the word and connect it to the action visually. This kind of multimodal learning, using both words and gestures, supports children who benefit from visual cues alongside verbal instructions. Encouraging children to take on the role of "Simon" and come up with their own commands is another fun way to foster expressive language. As they formulate actions and directions, they practice using verbs, building sentences, and seeing how language shapes movement and play.

One of the standout benefits of "Simon Says" is how it naturally encourages listening and direction-following. The game’s structure requires children to pay attention and process instructions, increasing their listening and auditory processing skills. Practicing "Simon says" versus regular commands teaches children to listen carefully and respond only when they hear the specific prompt. This emphasis on listening helps them stay focused and builds a foundation for understanding more complex instructions in everyday situations.

Additionally, "Simon Says" provides a valuable opportunity for practicing turn-taking and self-regulation. Waiting to act until they hear “Simon says” requires patience and impulse control, giving children a fun way to build self-regulation. This skill of holding back until prompted is foundational for group activities and social interactions. With a few modifications, "Simon Says" becomes a dynamic, multi-skill activity that’s easy to integrate into therapy sessions—an ideal blend of play, movement, and language learning that captivates and educates all at once.

My favorite example of using Simon says is a time where I was evaluating a young man for possible use of an eye-gaze AAC system. This young man was severely physically disabled and nonspeaking. He sat in a classroom with no participation - or even attention. He could only move his eyes (and smile - he had a beautiful smile). His mother said he was an avid people-watcher. The device rep and I played Simon Says, with him as Simon. He LOVED it; directing us to dance, jump, turn around and more. We had a blast, too. I even created a "Simon Says" game for AAC use that you can find here in my Etsy shop.

So, however you play it, Simon Says can be another no-cost game for building language skills.

Have fun and............keep on talking!