Movement Belongs in Speech and Language Practice

Children Learn by Moving

Young children are not designed to sit still and learn everything from a screen or a worksheet. They learn by moving.

In 30+ years as a speech-language pathologist, I have watched it happen over and over. A child who won't say a word at the table will suddenly shout "Go!" from the top of a slide. A child who avoids eye contact during flashcards will look right at me, waiting, when I pause before the next big push on the swing.

If you have been told to "wait and see," or you are sitting on a long waitlist, I want you to hear this: some of the best speech and language practice you can offer your child will happen while they are moving. And you do not need special equipment or training to start.

Why Movement and Language Go Together

Running, jumping, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, rolling, and crawling all create natural openings for communication. Here is why they work so well.

• Movement keeps children engaged. A child who is having fun stays in the activity longer. More time engaged means more chances to hear words, try sounds, and take a turn.
• Movement builds shared attention. When you are both focused on the same ball, the same slide, or the same blanket ride, your child is watching you and listening to you. That shared focus is the foundation that talking is built on.
• Movement creates turn-taking. You roll the ball, they roll it back. You say "ready, set," they say "go." This back-and-forth is the rhythm of conversation, long before full sentences arrive.
• Movement gives words a purpose. When saying "more" makes the swing go higher, your child learns that words make things happen. That is a powerful reason to keep trying.

A word practiced at a table can feel like a test. A word used to keep the fun going feels like a tool.

The Words That Come With Movement

Some of the most useful early words fit naturally into active play. They are short, repeatable, and they get an immediate result.

Start by saying the word yourself, clearly and with energy, every time the action happens. Then begin to pause. Say "Ready, set..." and wait. Look at your child with an expectant face and give them a few seconds. That pause is an invitation, not a demand.

If your child fills it with a sound, a word attempt, a gesture, or even a look, honor it and keep the game going. Every attempt counts.

A Note for Parents of Children With Apraxia

If your child has childhood apraxia of speech or another motor-speech challenge, you may already know that their therapy needs to be individualized. Apraxia affects the brain's ability to plan and sequence the movements needed for speech. Your child's speech-language pathologist will choose specific targets and techniques based on your child's unique needs.

Movement play does not replace that work. But it can support it.

Children with apraxia often need many, many practice opportunities. Play and movement give you a motivating, low-pressure way to create those opportunities throughout the day. A child who is excited to go down the slide again has a reason to try "go" one more time.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Ask your SLP which words or sounds to focus on. Then build those targets into your movement games at home.
• Keep it fun. If your child becomes frustrated, model the word and keep playing. Pressure tends to make speech harder, not easier.
• Celebrate effort over accuracy. An approximation of a word is real progress for a child who is working hard to plan speech movements.

Simple Movement Games to Try This Week

You do not need a therapy gym. Your living room, backyard, or local playground will do.

1. Blanket rides. Have your child sit on a blanket and pull them across the floor. Stop and wait for "go," "more," or "pull."
2. Pillow crash pad. Pile up couch cushions. Count "one, two, three" or say "ready, set" before each jump, and pause before the last word.
3. Ball rolling. Sit across from each other and roll a ball back and forth. Model "ball," "roll," "my turn," and "your turn."
4. Freeze dance. Play music and dance together. When the music stops, say "stop!" Over time, let your child be the one to say it.
5. Swing pushes. Give one push, then wait. Let your child ask for "push" or "more" before the next one.
6. Animal moves. Hop like a bunny, stomp like an elephant, crawl like a cat. Name the animal and the action as you go.

Keep sessions short and follow your child's lead. Five playful minutes several times a day will do more than one long session that ends in tears.

Speech Practice Doesn't Have to Happen at a Table

If you have been worried that you are not "doing enough" because your child won't sit still for practice, please let that worry go. Your child is not failing at learning. They are showing you how they learn best.

Get down on the floor. Head outside. Follow their energy. The words will have more meaning when they are attached to something your child loves to do.

You are not doing the wrong thing by playing. You are doing exactly what young children need.

Kim Koch, M.S. CCC-SLP

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