Boost Speech and Language Through Outdoor Summer Fun

Summer is the perfect time for children to grow their speech and language skills, without even realizing they’re learning. Some of the best language building opportunities can happen right in your backyard, at the park, at the pool, or the beach. Below are some easy ideas of how to turn everyday summer activities into a speech and language learning opportunities. 

Beach or Pool Day 

-Summer water play and sand activities are a great opportunity to work on action words and prepositions. Narrate your child’s actions “You are digging a big hole!” “You are splashing in the water!”

Verbs: splash, jump, pour, dig, float, build

Prepositions: under the umbrella, on the towel, in the bucket

Nature Walk in the Park

-Take a walk around the neighborhood or park and talk about what you see, hear, smell, and feel

Vocabulary: tree, leaf, bug, flower, cloudy, sunny, breeze

Descriptive terms: “That's a tall tree” “I see a blue butterfly”

WH-Questions: “What do you hear?” “Where is the squirrel going?”

Sequence/re-tell activities: “First we saw a caterpillar, then we heard a bird chirping, last we saw a duck swimming.”

Tip: create a scavenger hunt list to bring along or play “I Spy” while on your walk.

Picnic Pretend Play

-Grab a blanket, dolls, stuffed animals, or friends to join a picnic. You can use real foods and drinks or pretend toy food. Focus on social language and following directions.

Requesting: “I want more juice please.”

Social skills: turn taking, greetings, asking for help

Following Directions: “Put the blanket on the grass, then unpack the basket.”

Chalk Art

-Bring out the sidewalk chalk and get creative

Imaginative language: “This is a rocket ship going to outer space”

Expanding sentences: “I drew a big yellow house with a purple roof”

Tip: Choose a category name or “letter of the day” and draw things that belong in that category or start with that letter.

Final tips

Summer is about fun, connection, and play. The goal isn’t perfection- it’s about creating fun and natural moments where speech and language skills can be enhanced. Model language, give your child time to respond, and praise their efforts or attempts. Language is best facilitated when having fun- so get outside and enjoy the sunshine.