Summer is full of sunshine, snacks, and special moments with your child—and it’s also the perfect time to help their speech and language grow! You don’t need fancy tools or extra time. With just a little intention, everyday summer fun can become a chance to build words, sentences, and confidence.
Here are 10 playful and easy ways to support your toddler or preschooler’s communication skills this summer:
1. Talk in the Car
Driving to the park or grocery store? Chat about what you see:
“Look! A red truck! red truck goes fast!”
“I see a big dog. Woof, woof! Hi Doggie!”
Even short conversations help little ones learn new words.
2. Play “I Spy” with language concepts
Here are some examples with spatial concepts and object functions. You can make them easy or challenging!
“I spy something under the couch.”
“I spy something behind the chair.”
“I spy something that we use to brush our teeth.”
“I spy something that we use at night.”
3. Name It on a Nature Walk
Go outside and point to things you see. Remember to use short phrases, and repeat and expand on what your child says to encourage language growth:
Child: “Tree!” Adult: “Big Tree”
“Bird fly! “Yes, bird is flying!”
4. Snack Time Talk
Use food time to model words and choices:
“Do you want grapes or crackers?”
“Yum! Crunchy crackers!” Or “Sweet grapes!”
5. Make a Summer Story Book
Fold paper into a “book” and let your child draw, glue in pictures, or add stickers. You can write the words:
“I went to the zoo!”
“We saw a lion. ROAR!”
Great for talking about past events, sequencing, and reviewing new words.
6. Sound Hunt Game
Pick a sound like “b” and find things that start with that sound:
“Ball, book, banana!”
Keep track of how many words, which letter has the most items?
7. Follow the Leader: Action Play
Take turns giving and following simple directions:
“Jump!”
“Touch your toes!”
This helps build listening and understanding skills.
8. Puppet Play
Use a puppet or stuffed animal to talk and pretend:
“Hi! I’m Bear. What’s your name?”
“Let’s eat some pretend pizza!”
Pretend play supports social and language growth.
9. Sing Every Day
Songs like “Wheels on the Bus” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider” help your child hear rhythm, rhyme, and new words. Use hand motions, too!
10. Dance and Freeze
Play music and pause it—have your child freeze like a statue! Add simple directions:
“Now stomp like a dinosaur!”
“Spin like a ballerina!”
Fun and great for listening skills.
Remember:
Young children learn language best during play, movement, and connection. Summer is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy these moments. Every silly game, every snack chat, every song you sing—it all helps your child grow into a confident communicator. Have fun!
Nicole Lampi, M.A., CCC-SLP
June 2025
