“Play is the brain’s favorite way of learning” ~ Diane Ackerman
To be clear, most SLPs would agree the best form of play-based learning is through child-directed free play. This post is not about play-based learning but about playful learning and how it supports both student growth and connection.
Many SLPs embrace games as a playful way to support student learning. Here's why:
Engagement: Games are inherently engaging and enjoyable. They naturally draw a student's interest and attention which helps create a positive and motivating therapy environment. You know you have a keeper-of-a-game when your students request to play again and again.
Flexibility: In my opinion, secondary to building connections with students, is thinking with flexibility. The ability to think on your feet and turn nothing into something or in the case of games, turn something into something better is something SLPs do well! With games, "rules of play" can be re-designed to match a student's speech/language targets. This allows the SLP to direct HOW the game is played and WHY it is played while still keeping it playful.
Repetition and Practice: Games provide a structured yet playful way for students to practice their target sounds, words, or language skills repeatedly. With the common goal of completing 50 - 100 practice/trials per session, and being able to "gamify" what once was mundane, SLPs can leverage a student's intrinsic motivation to encourage participation and effort.
Naturalistic Communication: Games provide a natural environment for dialogue. Children are more likely to communicate spontaneously and meaningfully during play which allows the SLP to take note of any generalized skills and/or continuing challenges.
Supports Critical Thinking: Playing games provides opportunities for children to engage their critical thinking skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, asking/answering questions and making predictions. According to educator and author Elizabeth Wood, "Play and playful forms of activity potentially lead towards increasingly complex forms of knowledge, skills and understanding, particularly in the cognitive and social domains".
Social Interactions: Play "plays" an important role in social-emotional learning and social skill development to include but certainly not limited to following directions, turn-taking, negotiating, and taking the perspective of others...all things SLPs support and encourage on the daily.
Playful Learning = Lasting Learning: When we swap out the usual routine for playful and interactive activities, it's not just about fun, it's about helping students learn in a way that sticks. Embracing playful learning can be the secret sauce for making that happen.
SLPs are especially skilled at making the serious work of learning both fun and engaging. Although games are not the be - all and end - all, incorporating them into speech & language therapy sessions can be a versatile, effective and playful approach to support student learning.
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