The Role of Play in Early Speech and Language Therapy: How Fun Boosts Learning
“Essentially, the quality of the interactions during play are much more valuable than any toy you use during the play routine.”
Round them up, round them up! They are ready to play, literally all day. Can you guess who I am talking about? If you thought to yourself, “kids”, then you got it right! This is actually how children learn best, so they must know something we don’t. It makes a lot of sense when you think about a child’s routine, and how they crave engagement, interaction, and all around, a good ol’ time. We can’t play them, right?
We will touch on a couple of ways that play is closely linked to speech and language:
Natural Environment
If you have ever observed a child playing, you can tell they are in their natural habitat. It is simply easy for them to seek things to do in their natural environment, as they are wired to constantly form new neural connections as they play, engage and learn. In this way, it becomes easy to provide language opportunities using vocabulary words within structured routines.
Meaningful connection
Can you think of a time that you spent quality time with someone? The reason it was so meaningful was not the place, nor the ambiance, it was the connection between you and the person that made it most special. If you were there alone, perhaps it wouldn’t have been as meaningful. It is similar when children are engaging in play. They are seeking connection, through their dynamic interactions with you, as well as the associations they make during play. It is an automatic language boosting process, as you incorporate new words through play. Whether you use play doh, blocks, or pretend people (the list goes on), play is the best way to teach new vocabulary words, use prepositions (i.e., “put the ball on the slide”), pronouns (i.e., it is my turn.”), linguistic concepts (i.e., “big box”, “little box”, “red ball”, “green ball”).
Child-led play
It is just what it sounds like: Play led by the child. You do not have to compete for the child’s attention because they are simply present and taking everything in by the minute. There is a sense of organized chaos when a child is at play, but it is really the opportunity to talk about everything they are doing.
Let’s define child-led play:
Follow the child’s lead
Encourage the child to pick their favorite toys, activities, etc.
Let the child play how they want to play.
Do: Let the child play how they want to play, while sharing ideas.
Don’t: Interrupt by changing their play scheme to something you want them to do.
Do: Encourage the child to use their imagination.
Don’t: Tell the child what to do.
Do: Repeat sounds, words and catch phrases.
Don’t: Only sit and observe the child.
The rationale of child-led play is to empower the child to let their imagination run wild, and give them a sense of purpose when they are playing with their preferred items/activities. Believe it or not, it helps build the relationship/connection between the caregiver and child because they feel safe and valued when you are part of their world.
Parallel Talk
There is a key strategy during play called, “parallel talk.” When the child plays, you talk about what they are doing. You can also add on to what they are saying, by engaging in “expansion” and/or “extension” strategies. Simply put: It is in the adult’s court to provide those strong language models that quickly become part of the child’s vocabulary and eventually, their repertoire!
What is a strong language model? Here is a quick, vivid example:
Child: “Vroom, vroom.”
Parent: “Wow! Your car is going so fast!”
Child: “Fast!”
Parent: “Vroom, vroom. My car is going fast too. Now there are two fast cars! My car and your car.”
Child: “Vroom, vroom. Two fast cars.”
All in all, play is what you make it and each time, it can be just as fun, or even more fun than the last time. Essentially, the quality of the interactions during play are much more valuable than any toy you use during the play routine. You are the one modeling for your child the various ways to talk about and engage during interactions. Let the non-stop learning begin!
For more specifics on playing with toddlers, check out our other blog post. For topics on connecting with your child in dual languages, check out this post.