Splish, Splash, Speech and Language!

Wondering how to keep your child entertained on a hot summer day? Water play is a great way to keep them busy, engaged, and promote speech and language development. Try not to worry about the mess, and have fun! 

Ideas for items: 

• Sink, bathtub, sprinklers 

• Large tupperware, bowls, buckets, cups, watering can 

• Sponge, spoons, cloth, plastic animals/objects, beach/pool toys 

Focus on modeling target words throughout play:

Target Words	Examples
Nouns	Water, cup, sponge, bowl, sink
Verbs	Pour, dump, squeeze, wash
Core Words	Open, help, more, want, yes, no
Adjectives/attributes	Wet, dirty, cold, dry, clean, warm
Exclamatory words	Splash, woo, wow, yuck

Strategies to encourage language development: 

• Name: Name what your child is playing with or looking at. Name what you’re playing with while you play. “It’s a bowl” “Cup” “there’s the sponge”

• Comment: Narrate your child’s play or what you’re doing, “I’m pouring the water!” “Your hands are so wet” “This feels cold” “I’m ready to dump it”

• Follow your child’s lead: Watch what your child does and join in! Copy and add to what they’re doing. If they start to pour or dump water, do the same and make a comment. 

• Verbal routines: Say the same phrases again and again “Splash splash splash” “Let’s pour!” “Ready, set, go!”

• Use signs and gestures: Use basic hand gestures when describing actions. Open your hands together for “open”, squeeze your hands together for “squeeze”, use a pouring motion for “pour”.

Credit and Reference: The SLT Scrapbook