As you wind down the school year, you probably notice your students getting extra wiggly! Or maybe you’re working with a few extra energetic kids over summer break, and the idea of sitting still at a table just isn’t cutting it. Either way, incorporating movement in the speech room can be a real game-changer! Not only does movement boost engagement, but it also taps into kinesthetic learning, helps regulate energy, and makes therapy feel more like play than work. Whether you choose to be indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between, adding a little movement to your sessions can make a big difference for both you and your students. Check out these 6 simple ideas to get your kids moving:
Why Use Movement in the Speech Room?
Adding physical activities to your therapy sessions isn’t just helping kids get their wiggles out— it’s about building speech and language skills in a natural, functional way.
When kids move during learning, these benefits follow:
- Greater attention span and engagement
- Increased memory of new skills by pairing the information with motor patterns
- Improved generalization of skills
- Better turn-taking and problem solving with you and their peers
Once you’ve understood the “why” behind adding movement to your speech room, you need to figure out “how” to make it happen.
6 Simple Movement Ideas You Can Start Using Today
Think beyond the playground or gym when you consider ways to add movement in the speech room. You can do so much within the walls of your classroom or just outside it!
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1. Obstacle Courses
Obstacle courses are a go-to favorite and perfect for working on verbs, following directions, and different speech sounds!
Language Practice
For groups that are language-based, create an obstacle course targeted at following directions and understanding verbs. Students select a Following Directions Activity card, read it aloud, and follow the direction.
- Put your thumbs up.
- Pat your knees.
- Tug your ears.
Expand the activity even more by using multiple cards to target 2- and 3-step directions and different verb tenses.
2 and 3 Step Directions:
- Walk backwards, then crawl.
- Jump, march, then spin around.
Different Verb Tenses:
- Future: “I will put my thumbs up.”
- Past: “I patted my knees.”
- Present: “I am tugging my ears. ”
This Following Directions Activity set includes cards with and without picture visuals. It also includes a BONUS list of instructions targeting positional words like left, behind, and forward.
Articulation Stations
For articulation groups, let students pick an Action Articulation Card at each station. These cards target a variety of speech sounds in different placements, including:
As students read the action they should complete, they will be practicing their targeted speech sound— and not even notice it!
Set Up for Obstacle Courses
Setting up an obstacle course doesn’t need to be complicated. Use simple materials like chairs, tape, paper circles, pop-up tunnels, or hopscotch mats. When the weather is nice, use objects found in nature or outside on the school playground to keep the set-up even more low-prep!
2. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are another fun and functional way to get kids of all ages moving while working on speech and language skills.
Articulation Scavenger Hunts
Grab clipboards and magnifying glasses and encourage your older students to transform into “detectives” as they hunt articulation sounds around your classroom or the school using the Articulation Scavenger Hunt pages.
Over 30 later-developing sounds, plus ALL vocalic R sounds, are included in this resource!
This activity is perfect to send home to promote increased caregiver involvement, too.
Early Language Scavenger Hunts
Target early language concepts with your younger students to promote greater vocabulary identification. This resource covers 20 themes with common objects and places for students to hunt.
These small scavenger hunt pages are the perfect fit for mini clipboards and small hands. Encourage students to put an X on found objects or color them in as they locate the objects shown.
Movement-Rich Games and Toys
Don’t overlook exciting movement-rich games and toys!
You already know that kids love it when they walk into the speech room and see a game sitting out on the table. Why not make it even better by incorporating movement into the fun?!
3. Monkey Around
This game is perfect for preschoolers! They will build their understanding of early action verbs, spatial concepts, body parts, listening, and following simple directions as they play.
4. Giant Feed the Woozle
This silly game encourages turn-taking, action verbs, and expressive language skills. Your students won’t be able to stop laughing while they feed the Woozle!
5. Roll and Play
Use these large, soft cubes to help students learn color words, identify and express emotions, answer simple questions, and follow directions.
6. Seek-a-Boo
This is another fun game for preschoolers! It supports object identification, memory and matching skills, and categorization.
All of these games are perfect for mixed groups or when you want a less structured session that still packs in a lot of learning.
Tips for Making Movement Work
Before you turn your speech room into an obstacle course or go running through the hallway on a scavenger hunt, think about these tips for movement success:
Have a Clear Goal
First, be intentional about what you are targeting. Make sure the fun, movement-based activity ties directly into your students’ goals.
Set Expectations
Next, lay clear ground rules for your students so they know what to expect and how to act appropriately during the activity or game. Explain expectations using kid-friendly language.
Stay Flexible
Also, stay flexible!
It’s important to remember that movement activities will likely get loud or silly, and that’s okay! Adapt sessions as needed to keep students focused and having fun while they still work on their speech and language skills.
Use Extra Cues
Finally, pair actions with extra cues. Use visual supports or written directions to help keep your students on task and promote independence during play.
When students are wiggly, tired, or working through a summer slump, movement in the speech room can turn things around! You’ll be surprised at how your students re-engage in learning as they play movement-based games, go on interactive scavenger hunts, or engage in fun obstacle courses. Don’t be afraid— you’re equipped to lead the way as you get your kids moving!
You may also be interested in reading:
4 PRACTICAL Tips to Share with Caregivers for Summer Speech Success
5 Great Summer Options for School SLPs: Start Planning Now!
5 INGENIOUS Strategies to Empower Students in Speech Therapy
