The Importance of Play in Speech-Language Therapy
A vital resource for those with communication impairments is speech therapy. But the conventional perception of speech therapy frequently entails structured sessions filled with drills and exercises. Although these methods have their merits, play therapy is an even more potent weapon in the speech therapist’s toolbox. This blog article will discuss how play can improve speech therapy for kids by increasing its effectiveness, enjoyment, and engagement.
Participation via Play
Children’s natural language is play. It’s how they engage with people, express themselves, and explore the world. Play is a great way to make speech therapy sessions less daunting and more interesting. Games, puzzles, storytelling, and even pretend play are examples of play-based activities that can be used to encourage communication with clients by creating a calm and cozy atmosphere. Play has great benefits and need to be incorporated into a child’s daily schedule whenever feasible!
Educating while Having Fun
Play is a great method to learn; in fact, it’s the best way for young children to learn. People can learn new things and hone their talents while having fun. Games and activities used in speech therapy can focus on particular speech sounds, vocabulary, or linguistic ideas. Narrative skills are improved through storytelling. Clients are more likely to be enthusiastic and dedicated to their progress when therapy feels like play.
Personalized to Meet Every Need
Its adaptability is what makes play therapy so wonderful. Play-based activities can be tailored by speech therapists to each client’s specific requirements and objectives. Play offers a flexible platform for focused intervention, whether it is for language comprehension, social communication, or articulation issues.
Developing Social Skills
Speech therapy covers social communication skills in addition to language and speech impairments. Play-based treatment helps patients acquire important social skills by encouraging them to talk, participate, and take turns. These abilities are necessary for developing deep connections as well as for efficient communication.
Learning via Imitation
Youngsters mimic things naturally. They are excited to join in when they see you acting like a talking animal, an astronaut, or a pirate, which offers countless chances for speech practice. We also adore using toys to “join” treatment sessions. If the kid isn’t interested in playing, perhaps their favourite character or toy will be!
Contextual Learning
Storytelling and role-playing are common play activities that promote children’s comprehension of language in authentic settings. This aids in the application of what they learn to real-world circumstances. When selecting meaningful and practical target phrases for your child, make sure they fit naturally into everyday play routines.
It is impossible to overestimate the value of play in speech treatment. It turns difficult therapeutic activities into engaging experiences that promote learning, confidence, and engagement.
Playtime is a superpower that helps children unlock their communication potential, become more at ease in their surroundings, and helps to keep them motivated and engaged—all of which are essential for therapy to be successful. This is true whether you’re a speech therapist, parent, or friend.
References and resources:
l https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/1/182/70699/The-Importance-of-Play-in-Promoting-Healthy-Child
l Cariebertseminars.com
l Jarrold C, Boucher J, Smith P. Symbolic play in autism: a review. J Autism Dev Disord. 1993 Jun;23(2):281-307. doi: 10.1007/BF01046221. PMID: 7687245.
l Short EJ, Schindler RC, Obeid R, Noeder MM, Hlavaty LE, Gross SI, Lewis B, Russ S, Manos MM. Examining the Role of Language in Play Among Children With and Without Developmental Disabilities. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch. 2020 Jul 15;51(3):795-806. doi: 10.1044/2020_LSHSS-19-00084. Epub 2020 May 13. PMID: 32402229.
l Terrell, B. Y., Schwartz, R. G., Prelock, P. A., & Messick, C. K. (1984). Symbolic play in normal and language-impaired children. Journal of Speech & Hearing Research, 27(3), 424–429. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.2703.424
l https://childhelpfoundation.in/blog/posts/The-Importance-of-Play-Therapy-For-Children#:~:text=Play%20Therapy%20Promotes%20Emotional%20Expression&text=From%20joy%20and%20excitement%20to,%2Dplaying%2C%20and%20imaginative%20play.