This is work in progress, but I wanted to create a reference for students and parents to access fun activities to assist in building or strengthening speech or language skills. Here are some apps, games, websites or activities that I have discovered than can be used at home. As a disclaimer, these are resources I have found or used, but I cannot speak for the entire content of the below listed apps or websites. Please review these with your child and determine on your own if they are usable and appropriate for your child. Also, please be aware that prices change so I have included what I understood to be the price (at the time), but you'll need to check on your own:
Game/Activity Websites
Figurative Language -
Idiom practice
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/idioms/
Vocabulary -
ELA vocabulary terms - can read aloud words and definitions, flashcards for practice and a test. Great preparation for ELA tests and English Regents.
https://quizlet.com/2936029/ela-terms-flash-cards/
"Quia" has multiple games and activities which cover all areas of language. You may need to search to find which are fun (and age appropriate) for your child.
http://www.quia.com/shared/speech_therapy/
Commercial Games
Scattergories-
This is a favorite. It provides practice in naming items which belong in categories, under the constraint of only using one initial letter (dictated by the roll of a multi-sided die). Being able to provide members for specific categories can increase word-finding abilities (which many children with language impairments struggle with) and builds overall vocabulary/semantic skills. This game typically runs between $20 and $27 dollars. I recommend look for it on Ebay or at a garage sale to find one cheaper. It is a fun game for older children as well as adults.
Apples to Apple Jr. -
I like the junior version for my students with language disorders. I find, in general the adult version has much higher level vocabulary and at times less appropriate content. This is a great game to talk about adjectives (the green cards) and nouns (the red cards). One person takes the role of judge while the other people find nouns which best go with the target adjective card. I have my students also provide a justification for their choice. It is a really fun game for a group (need at least 3 players)
Story Cubes-
These are good for building narrative skills. It can be played in a number of ways. One person can start and the rest of the group continues the story using the pictures on the cube as a guide. Each person can formulate their own story using the pictures on the cubes. The individual has to formulate an introduction, sequence the order of events, and conclude the story. This can be a surprisingly difficult game for students with language difficulties.
If your not sure what skills your child needs to work on feel free to contact me and I would be happy to discuss.
More to come!!!!
