10 Language Activities You Can Do With Your Child Who Is Verbal or Non-Verbal
01/09/2013 11:09 AM
1. Mystery Box: Decorate a box and put a small hole in the top. Put objects, pictures, letters, numbers, colors, shapes, or sight words in the box. Take turns pulling out an object from the mystery box and labeling the item. Children who are verbal can label the item using a single word or a phrase. Children that are non-verbal can label the item using the picture exchange system or sign language. Picture exchange system: put 2-4 pictures in front of the child and ask, "What did you get" and have the child hand you the picture that matches the item that they pulled out of the mystery box.
2. Hide and Go Seek: This is a fun game for all children. Take turns hiding and finding the other person. If your child is verbal, play Walkie Talkie Hide and Go Seek. The person hiding gives clues as to where they are hiding. The person that is looking for the person hiding can ask questions to get more clues.
3. Scavenger Hunt: Give your child a list of items, written or pictures, and have them find the items. If your child has more advanced language then give them a list of attributes and have them figure out what the item is before finding the item. Once the child finds the items, have them label the item as well as label where they found the item. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system or sign language.
4. Piggy Back Rides: Give your child a piggy back ride and have them request what room to go to and how they want you to go, fast/slow. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system or sign language.
5. Sing Songs: Have your child request what song they want to sing. When you are singing, leave out words for them to fill in the blank. Children that are non-verbal can do sign language or hand motions to fill in the blank.
6. Read Books: Have your child label pictures in a book. Children that are non-verbal can point to pictures in the book. When reading pattern text, leave out words for your child to fill in the blank. Ask questions about the story. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system to answer questions about a story.
7. Puzzles: Take turns putting pieces into a puzzle. Have your child label each piece with either a single word or a sentence. Children that are non-verbal can get pieces based on the label, function, feature, or class.
8. I Spy: You can play the traditional game of I Spy focusing on the attributes of items. This game can be modified, if needed, by placing items in front of the child. Children that are non-verbal can get the items described.
9. “Simon Says” game. Take turns being “Simon.” This game works on receptive and expressive language. Children that are non-verbal can be “Simon” by using picture cards.
10. Pretend Play: Play restaurant, house, doctor, or have a tea party with your child. Engage in appropriate conversations related to your play scheme. Children who are non-verbal can engage in receptive language and use the picture exchange communication system or sign language to engage in a conversation.
2. Hide and Go Seek: This is a fun game for all children. Take turns hiding and finding the other person. If your child is verbal, play Walkie Talkie Hide and Go Seek. The person hiding gives clues as to where they are hiding. The person that is looking for the person hiding can ask questions to get more clues.
3. Scavenger Hunt: Give your child a list of items, written or pictures, and have them find the items. If your child has more advanced language then give them a list of attributes and have them figure out what the item is before finding the item. Once the child finds the items, have them label the item as well as label where they found the item. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system or sign language.
4. Piggy Back Rides: Give your child a piggy back ride and have them request what room to go to and how they want you to go, fast/slow. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system or sign language.
5. Sing Songs: Have your child request what song they want to sing. When you are singing, leave out words for them to fill in the blank. Children that are non-verbal can do sign language or hand motions to fill in the blank.
6. Read Books: Have your child label pictures in a book. Children that are non-verbal can point to pictures in the book. When reading pattern text, leave out words for your child to fill in the blank. Ask questions about the story. Children that are non-verbal can use the picture exchange communication system to answer questions about a story.
7. Puzzles: Take turns putting pieces into a puzzle. Have your child label each piece with either a single word or a sentence. Children that are non-verbal can get pieces based on the label, function, feature, or class.
8. I Spy: You can play the traditional game of I Spy focusing on the attributes of items. This game can be modified, if needed, by placing items in front of the child. Children that are non-verbal can get the items described.
9. “Simon Says” game. Take turns being “Simon.” This game works on receptive and expressive language. Children that are non-verbal can be “Simon” by using picture cards.
10. Pretend Play: Play restaurant, house, doctor, or have a tea party with your child. Engage in appropriate conversations related to your play scheme. Children who are non-verbal can engage in receptive language and use the picture exchange communication system or sign language to engage in a conversation.