speech activities for nonverbal students

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29 Nonverbal Communication Activities For All Ages

February 20, 2023 // by Seda Unlucay

Nonverbal communication is an essential part of effective communication, yet it is often overlooked. It includes elements such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and more. This collection of 29 games, hands-on resources, presentations, and books can help children develop empathy, read others’ emotions, and become more aware of their own nonverbal cues. They can also support increased cooperation skills, improve self-confidence, and strengthen communication skills with people from all backgrounds.

1. Try an Engaging Game of Charades

Charades is a fun game where players act out words or phrases without speaking. One player picks a word or phrase and acts it out while the others try to guess what it is. The player cannot use words or sounds but can use gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey the meaning.

Learn More: Woman’s Day

2. Snack Time Nonverbal Communication Game

In this game of “Silent Snack Time,” children cannot use words to express their opinions, but instead, rely on gestures and facial expressions like thumbs up or down to communicate whether they like or dislike each snack.

Learn More: Equinox Family Consulting

3. Put on a Silent Puppet Show with Nonverbal Language

Students will prepare for a puppet show by learning to use nonverbal communication like tone of voice and facial expressions to convey emotions. This fun activity will help students develop nonverbal communication skills and understand the importance of nonverbal cues.

Learn More: PBS

4. Build Family Relationships With a Maze Game

These worksheets are designed to help students identify positive and negative expressions and emotional words to navigate through colorful mazes. The fun and engaging K-5th grade worksheets feature characters from different educational programs and offer varying levels of difficulty.

Learn More: Centervention

5. Develop Active Listening Techniques by Becoming a Social Spy

This nonverbal communication activity involves becoming a “social spy” and observing people’s actions to determine their emotions. The activity helps students develop their observational skills, identify different body language, and interpret mixed emotions.

6. Create a Visual Communication Book with AAC Picture Cards

This resource is designed to help students who are non-verbal or have limited verbal skills and are on the autism spectrum, with a focus on getting started with AAC (alternative/augmentative communication).

Learn More: Autism Little Learners

7. Play a Game Red Light, Green Light

The red light green light game involves nonverbal communication and helps to improve social skills, listening, and following directions. The players move forward on a “green light” signal and stop on a “red light” signal, and the game promotes quick decision-making and attention to others’ movements.

Learn More: Empowered Parents

8. Develop Effective Communication Skills by Playing House

Playing house provides numerous benefits, including improved social skills, imaginative thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and empathy. It also helps them to learn about roles and responsibilities, develop language and communication skills, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Learn More: WikiHow

9. Hide and Seek to Develop Non-Verbal Types of Communication

Hide and seek is a classic game where one person counts while the others hide. The seeker must then find the hidden players. The benefits of this perenially favorite game include improving physical activity, problem-solving skills, and social interaction between players.

Learn More: Rookie Road

10. Play a Game of Mime

Mime is a fun game where players act out a scene or a story using only their body language and facial expressions, without speaking. It helps kids develop their communication and observational skills, as well as creativity and imagination. To play, simply choose a theme, assign roles, and start miming. It’s a great way to promote teamwork and socialization while having loads of laughs.

Learn More: Family Education

11. Develop Active Listening Skills with A Game of Animal Sounds

To play animal sounds for non-verbal kids in an engaging tone, use interactive toys or picture books with sound buttons. These tools will help them connect with the animal world and aid in language development, recognition of emotions, and sensory processing.

Learn More: Primarily Learning

12. Play a Sorting Game as a Non-Verbal Communication Exercise

This color-sorting game for non-verbal kids involves matching colored objects to the corresponding colors of various bins, mats, or containers of your choice. The game can be made more interactive and engaging by incorporating a reward system or using tactile materials to enhance sensory input.

Learn More: The Autism Helper

13. Develop Attentive Listening Skills with a Game of Ice Cream Parlor

Playing ice cream parlor involves following instructions and creating ice cream cones with various toppings and flavors. apart from motivating kids with a favorite treat, this hands-on game develops cognitive and fine motor skills while allowing for creative expression.

Learn More: Learning 4 Kids

14. Develop Attention to Body Language with a Game of Zapped

To play this fun game, prepare folded paper squares, place a dot on one, and put them in a container. Each player draws a square, and the person with the dot becomes the “zapper.” The game involves getting others to sign a form without speaking, while the zapper winks to eliminate players.

Learn More: Teacher Created

15. Build a Tower to Improve Nonverbal Communication Skills

Building a tower with blocks can help nonverbal kids improve their imitation skills, which may in turn improve their speech and communication abilities. Additionally, the game allows for creative expression and fosters imagination while helping kids learn to follow instructions and work on their patience as they wait for their turn to build.

Learn More: Twinkl

16. Develop an Understanding of Nonverbal Messages

This resource aims to help children better understand non-verbal communication to identify how others are feeling and behaving. The worksheet provides visual examples of different non-verbal cues and asks questions to help students practice interpreting them, encouraging empathy and social awareness.

17. Soft Skills for Non-Verbal Communication

Looking for a fun way to help non-verbal children in your class communicate their basic needs and wants? This handy tool teaches kids to use symbols to indicate when they need help, a bathroom break, a rest, and more. Simply download and print the board, then show your students how to use it.

18. Slideshow on Receptive Language Skills

The non-verbal social communication slideshow presents a range of non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and eye contact, which are essential in interpersonal communication.

Learn More: Tiny Tap

19. Movie-Based Game With Detailed Instructions

In this engaging activity, players are separated into two groups. One team will privately communicate the title of a movie to the other team, who must then act out clues to help their team guess the correct movie. The clues may be the movie’s name or a famous scene, but no verbal communication is permitted.

Learn More: Optimist Minds

20. Follow the Leader

Follow the leader is a game where one person leads the group and others follow. It’s a fun way to learn about leadership and teamwork. It can be used in many different settings, such as classrooms, sports teams, and corporate meetings.

21. Play a Board Game

When I Dream is a non-verbal communication game that involves blindfolding one player, who must guess words based on one-word clues given by other players, who are dealt hidden roles as good spirits, evil ones, or neutral tricksters. The game is a great option for non-gamers, with easy rules and a short playtime, and offers replay value with the different roles that keep the game fresh.

Learn More: Discover Hub Pages

22. Activity to Learn How to Pay Attention to People

These picture cards aim to teach students about nonverbal communication, helping them to identify and interpret nonverbal signs, understand the emotions of others, and learn how to recognize what people are thinking.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

23. Perfect Activity for Autistic Children

This mini-unit is designed for students with poor communication skills, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds or on the Autism spectrum. It comprises three stories that can be made into small books, with comprehension questions presented as worksheets that allow students to circle their answers instead of writing or speaking.

24. Magic Maze Game

Magic Maze is a cooperative board game where players work together to pull off a heist. Each player controls a character with unique abilities, and they must navigate through a maze-like shopping mall to gather items and escape without being caught.

25. Fishbowl Game with Slips of Paper

Fishbowl is a fun and engaging game that is typically played with slips of paper. In the game, players split into two teams and each member writes a word or phrase on slips of paper. The slips are then placed in a bowl or container, and the teams take turns trying to guess the words or phrases by drawing them out of the container and giving verbal clues.

Learn More: Sara’s Favorite Things

26. Murder Mystery

Wink murder is a classic party game that promises endless entertainment and suspenseful thrills! The “murderer” is tasked with winking surreptitiously at their targets, while the “detective” tries to figure out who the culprit is before they strike again.

Learn More: DBP Theatre Dance

27. Perfect Presentation for School Students

This animated, kid-friendly video explores the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and how they can be utilized in social settings. It explains how non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, can significantly impact the message being conveyed.

Learn More: RFA Renthlei

28. Read A Book About Non-Verbal Social Cues

“Clark the Shark,” tells the story of Clark, a young shark who struggles to control his enthusiasm and boisterous behavior, which often leads to him unintentionally hurting others. Through various mishaps, Clark learns the importance of nonverbal communication, such as reading facial expressions and body language, to understand how others are feeling and adjust his own behavior accordingly.

Learn More: The Colorful Apple

29. Game With Handmade Deck of Cards

In this card-based game, teams of three or four people barter and trade pieces to complete their cards, with the team that completes the most winning. The game fosters accepting loss and improving outcomes; players can reflect on their communication strategies and styles afterward to enhance their skills.

Learn More: User Like

15 Therapy Activities to Engage Non-Verbal Children

Working with non-verbal children can present a unique set of challenges. It is not uncommon for Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers to encounter non-verbal children in their therapy jobs. Therapists’ resources are often limited in the variety of activities to engage this audience. However, speech therapists can maximize learning moments for their students by utilizing a variety of effective tools and resources. Luckily, there are several activities you can incorporate into your therapy job – here are 15 of the best!

1. Routines Boards – Use visual boards with single-step actions to help clients learn common routines. You can create a board for brushing teeth which includes Get Toothbrush, Wet Toothbrush under Faucet, Apply a Small Amount of Toothpaste, Brush Front of Teeth, Brush Back of Teeth, Brush Sides of Teeth, etc. Include as much or as little detail as the individual client needs to complete the task. Other visual boards might include Packing Backpack for School, Doing Homework, and Cleaning Up After Dinner.

2. Red Light, Green Light – Non-verbal children often struggle with basic commands. Use games like Red Light, Green Light to encourage them to follow directions in a way that can be carried over to the home environment. Use rewards for positive responses. To play Red Light, Green Light, line the children up in a straight line. Explain to them that, when you say Green Light, the children move forward. When you say Red Light, the children must stop. The terms “Red Light” and “Green Light” can then be used for other actions as one of their basic commands.

3. Practice Sharing – Play is an important activity for non-verbal children, and school-based therapists can facilitate this activity by practicing sharing. While the child is engaged in play with an object such as a toy car or tea set, occasionally take the toy from them. Then help the child learn ways to communicate that they want the toy back. This may be through the use of sign language or body language.

4. Daily Journals – Even non-verbal children have something to say, and journaling can be a valuable tool that school-based therapists can incorporate. Journals can be written or provide pictures and illustrations for children who cannot write. Use writing prompts to stimulate ideas. Prompts might include Favorite Foods, I Feel ____ When ____, My Best Friend Is ____.

5. See and Say – For younger children, animal sounds are a great way to introduce verbal communication. Use toys such as “See and Say” to help children identify animals by their sounds and begin to verbalize those sounds. Simple animal toys can also be used to facilitate this activity.

6. Modeling – The students take turns modeling the emotion shown in the picture using pictures of emotions such as sad, happy, angry, and hurt. This helps non-verbal children recognize emotions in others and learn how to display those emotions so that children can be recognized as expressing them .

7. Hide and Seek – Using a toy or other reward, a therapist’s job is to hide an object in the room and encourage the student to use functional communication to locate the toy or reward. Sign Language, PECs, or body language can be used to seek answers to the object’s location.

8. Sensory Bags – Sensory bags are a great way to help non-verbal children develop coordination, learn concentration, and use multiple senses while exploring their environment. Sensory bags can be made with various materials, including rice, flour and water, and even hair gel. Create bags that allow children to draw or search for treasures.

9. Playing House – Role play games can be an excellent way to help younger students learn words for common household items or social interactions. Other ideas for role play include restaurant, school, or store.

10. The Name Game – Non-verbal children often struggle with recognition of their own names. Speech and language therapists can play the Name Game to help them identify with the sound of their own name and respond appropriately. Play this game in small groups of 3 or 4 students calling out names at random, including the names of the students present. Whenever a student’s name is used, have the other students point to that student and have the student whose name was called, stand up. When the student stands, provide a small reward such as a sticker or a small piece of candy.

11. Textures and Feelings – While non-verbal children struggle to communicate with the spoken word, they do not lack a sense of touch, and certainly have a full range of emotions. School-based therapists can put together a box of materials with different textures to help identify emotions that “feel” like the textures they are touching. Sand paper might be frustration, while cotton balls might be love. Use pictures or word queue cards with emotions.

12. Build a Sandwich – Therapists can help non-verbal children learn steps and details through the use of pretend assembly play. Using materials to create the ingredients for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or S’mores is a fun way to teach students the importance of steps and how to navigate directions.

13. Face Puzzles – Use Face Puzzles to allow children to show what emotions they may be feeling or help them identify what emotions would be appropriate in various settings.

14. Experience Books – When a child goes on a field trip or has a unique experience, that activity can be utilized as an ongoing teaching tool through the use of Experience Books. During the field trip, take lots of pictures of the things the child sees and does. Then print those pictures out with short sentences that help to recall and describe the experience. Picture books can help children identify objects and emotions they may not experience daily but can recall and are familiar with.

15. Same and Different – Sorting, matching, and classifying are the beginning steps to communication, whether verbal or non-verbal. Playing activities like Same and Different allows the therapist to integrate these skills with more advanced levels of communication. Same and Different activities come in the form of worksheets, card sets, and even iPad apps.

In addition to these, there are a variety of websites that offer online speech therapy activities, including Owlie Boo , Mommy Speech Therapy , and Tiny Tap .

Whether teaching children the beginning stages of becoming verbal or working with students who cannot become verbal, we hope these activities help to expand your list of tools and make your therapy job easier!

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Looking for a therapy job? Check out our current openings: https://jobs.txsource.com

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Have you ever made an instant judgment about a person, without ever speaking to him or her? Can you tell when other people are worried, afraid, or angry? We can sometimes do this because we are tuning in to nonverbal clues.

Through nonverbal communication , we make all kinds of inferences and decisions—often without realizing it. It’s important to be aware of nonverbal communication, so we can avoid sending and receiving unintentional messages through our expressions and body movements .

These exercises are designed to help you understand how much information we transmit through nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal Activity 1: Wordless Acting

Separate students into groups of two.
One student in each group will perform the role of Student A, and one will perform as Student B.
Give each student a copy of the script below.
Student A will read his/her lines out loud, but student B will communicate his/her lines in a nonverbal manner.
Provide student B with a secret emotional distraction that is written on a piece of paper. For example, student B may be in a rush, may be really bored, or may be feeling guilty.
After the dialogue, ask each student A to guess what emotion was affecting their partner, student B.

Student A: Have you seen my book? I can’t remember where I put it. Student B: Which one? Student A: The murder mystery. The one you borrowed. Student B: Is this it? Student A: No. It’s the one you borrowed. Student B. I did not! Student A: Maybe it’s under the chair. Can you look? Student B: OK--just give me a minute. Student A: How long are you going to be? Student B: Geez, why so impatient? I hate when you get bossy. Student A: Forget it. I’ll find it myself. Student B: Wait—I found it!

Nonverbal Activity 2: We Have to Move Now!

Cut several strips of paper.
On each strip of paper, write down a mood or a disposition like guilty, happy, suspicious, paranoid, insulted, or insecure.
Fold the strips of paper and put them into a bowl. They will be used as prompts.
Have each student take a prompt from the bowl and read the sentence: "We all need to gather our possessions and move to another building as soon as possible!" expressing the mood they’ve selected.
After each student has read their sentence, the other students should guess the emotion of the reader. Each student should write down assumptions they made about each "speaking" student as they read their prompts.

Nonverbal Activity 3: Stack the Deck

For this exercise, you will need a regular pack of playing cards and a lot of space to move around. Blindfolds are optional, and the task takes a bit longer if blindfolds are used.

Shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly and walk around the room to give each student a card.
Instruct the students to keep their card a secret. No one can see the type or color of another's card.
Make it clear to students that they will not be able to speak during this exercise.
Instruct students to assemble into 4 groups according to suits (hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades) using nonverbal communication.
It's fun to blindfold every student during this exercise (but this version is much more time consuming).
Once students get into their groups, they must line up in order of rank, from ace to king.
The group that lines up in correct order first wins!

Nonverbal Activity 4: Silent Movie

Divide students into two or more groups. For the first half of the class, some students will be screenwriters and other students will be actors . Roles will switch for the second half.

The screenwriter students will write a silent movie scene, with the following directions in mind:

Silent movies tell a story without words. It is important to start the scene with a person doing an obvious task, like cleaning the house or rowing a boat.
This scene is interrupted when a second actor (or several actors) enters the scene. The appearance of the new actor/s has a big impact. Remember that the new characters could be animals, burglars, children, salesmen, etc.
A physical commotion takes place.
The problem is resolved.
The acting groups will perform the script(s) while the rest of the class sits back and enjoys the show. Popcorn is a good addition to this activity.
After each silent movie, the audience should guess the story, including the conflict and resolution.

This exercise gives students a great opportunity to act out and read nonverbal messages.

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39 Communication Games and Activities for Kids and Students

Communication activities for students and kids

Kids spend astounding amounts of time on their electronic devices and with this shift, they are losing their skills in how to communicate their needs—with their own voices.

Picture the kids you know having no access to wi-fi. There might be a revolt when you start to ask them to communicate with you without a phone or device.

With the availability of alternative sources of social support (Leung, 2007), reaching kids in a one-to-one setting is difficult. The skill of self-expression in real life and face-to-face interaction has far-reaching implications.

Improving communication skills in children of all ages today could benefit generations to come, salvaging the power of verbal communication in a world buzzing with technological alternatives.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free . These science-based tools will help you and those you work with build better social skills and better connect with others.

This Article Contains:

What are communication activities, exercises, and games, the importance of teaching kids communication skills, 5 tips on how to teach communication skills to children, how to spot communication difficulties in all ages, 6 games and exercises for toddlers and preschoolers in kindergarten, a look at communication in the classroom, 4 ways students can improve communication skills, 6 communication games and activities for elementary students, 7 games and activities for middle and high school students, 5 communication games and activities for college students, 5 nonverbal communication activities and games, 5 active listening games and exercises, 5 assertive communication activities for teens, a take-home message.

Certain activities, exercises, and games can teach children to communicate better. In most settings, adults decide the communication style and social norms. The rules of etiquette are also decided by adults.

These days, it is revolutionary to teach communication skills in “kid terms” with room to advance the skills as children develop. Imagine a world where every adult practiced their face-to-face communication.

The following are effective communication fundamentals (Stanfield, 2017):

Conversation skills;
Established listening and speaking procedures;
Respectful vocabulary;
The power of the pause;
Practice speaking and listening in natural settings;
Introspection;
Turn-taking.

Any activities, exercises, and games that include these fundamentals can improve skills in communication. Interactive games encourage kids to express their needs. Plus, when kids see these activities as fun and engaging, the more likely they are to participate.

Good Communication Skills Improve Levels Of

There are profound psychological implications for underdeveloped communication skills. Conversely, more effective communication skills result in a higher quality of life.

Communicating well enables people to know and ask for what they need, and can result in higher self-efficacy (Nørgaard, Ammentorp, Ohm Kyvik, & Kofoed, 2012). With higher self-efficacy, there are lower instances of violence (Khoury-Kassabri, 2012), bullying (Clark & Bussey, 2020), and self-destructive behaviors (Forman & Kalafat, 1998).

Research with people who are hearing impaired revealed the impact on feelings of loneliness and depression (Knutson & Lansing, 1990). Now, the same effect is showing for children who are not severely hearing impaired.

When there is difficulty in basic communication, there is a barrier to a fundamental human need, thus resulting in emotional and psychological problems. We are hard-wired to connect and belong with other humans (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

For example, when a toddler cannot communicate their needs, a tantrum might follow. When a pre-teen child cannot effectively communicate, frustration might ensue. When a teenager cannot effectively communicate, a perfect storm might occur. And when adults cannot understand and state their needs, lives can fall apart.

Everyone benefits from practicing good communication. Right now, children are in desperate need of effectively communicating with their peers and with adults.

Good communication is a habit, and it needs to start young.

Effective communication skills equip children with the ability to have their needs met. As children age, their skills need to increase as difficult situations occur. In school and social settings, a child’s peers play a significant role in how these skills develop.

Communication Skills in Children. Image by Bessi from Pixabay.

Any parent of a teen is aware of how these skills are a part of a teenager-parent relationship. Modeling appropriate communication skills is a great way to show children (and teenagers) how people use kind communication to get “what they want.”

Basic communication skills are needed for basic survival. Something as basic as eye contact can be difficult to maintain for many children, even though it is the most critical part of nonverbal communication (Zeki, 2009). Looking people in the eye is a skill. It takes practice to understand the importance of eye contact for the development of good manners and social connection.

So how do we begin teaching kids communication skills? Every setting offers learning opportunities. When children know how to listen and respond, they also develop deeper understandings of empathy and compassion .

When kids communicate well, they are more likely to recognize and pursue opportunities with confidence and self-efficacy (Nørgaard et al., 2012).

speech activities for nonverbal students

Download 3 Communication Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you or your clients with tools to improve communication skills and enjoy more positive social interactions with others.

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Every day, if you work with kids or have them yourself, you model how to ask for what you need. Even simple moments where you ask a coworker for a pencil can be goldmines of modeling.

Here are five specific tips.

1. Be a Model

The old adage, “ Do as I say, not as I do ” rears its head once again. Kids are more likely to do “as you do” regardless of what you say. Parents who model good communication have children who are—shocker—better at communicating with others.

It is important to note that sometimes, difficulty in communication may have underlying factors such as the presence of autism, attention disorders, or auditory disability.

2. Create a Framework for Communication Procedures

Teaching children how and when to communicate is a foundational skill. Chronic interrupting and volume control are disruptions to communication everywhere, not just for children. Set boundaries for kids to know when it is appropriate to interject with their opinion. Positively reinforce kids or students who follow the known expectations.

Regardless of the framework specifics, teach kids how to get your attention—without inappropriate disruption.

3. Don’t Embarrass Children by Correcting Them in Public

Shame is powerful, and can negatively influence a desire to learn for anyone. Kids will make mistakes in their communication, as do adults. That two-year-old who called a stranger “fat” needs to understand why that is inappropriate, but they do not need to be corrected in front of everyone.

Gently correcting errors in private is a basic principle of positive discipline, and it helps promote a growth mindset where children feel safe. If a child is embarrassed in public, they will make fewer communication attempts in the future, or worse, continue the act for attention.

4. Teach Empathy

5. Show the Power of the Pause

The power of mindful communication is very important. Kids are especially unskilled with controlling their impulsive behavior, as are many adults. Simply teaching kids to think about the impact of their words and any other decision-making overall, can help kids reflect before they act.

It is equally important to value the pauses between statements and encourage a culture of pausing to also create space for others to speak who may need more processing time.

Apprehension in oral communication also can lead to difficulties in psychological well-being (McCrosky, 1977). There is an increasing rate of anxiety with regard to communication skills in children. A child suffering from Communication Apprehension will even avoid situations where oral communication is needed, just to avoid the pain and anxiety associated with that communication.

A great deal of research has been done in the development of emotional intelligence and its relationship to effective communication skills (Irvin & Richardson, 2002). Higher test scores exist in individuals with higher reported rates of emotional intelligence, this adds value to the need for improving skills as early as possible. Development of social and communication skills is important for kids, especially those entering Middle School.

While these present as difficulties, they are not in most cases complete barriers to effective communication. Altering skills to fit the obstacle in effective communication is paramount to a child’s success.

Infants and Communication Skills. Image by Lisa Runnels from Pixaby.

This is not to downplay the importance that a spectrum disorder, an attention disorder, or an auditory difficulty may play in communication in children. Children with these obstacles may find more difficulty with social communication than their peers due to their struggle with effective communication.

Current research is trying to link other obstacles children may have with these developmental differences.

Here are some concrete ways to spot difficulties in communication:

Immature language;
Speech that is difficult to understand;
Struggling to talk and or listen in conversation;
Avoidance of verbal communication.

Most of these games do not take long, and the skills they teach are foundational to future lessons.

1. Guess the Object

This is a fun game for kids to practice the power of description. Cut a hole in a box that is large enough for their hands. Make sure that they understand that they’re not allowed to peak into the hole. Place an object in the box. Have the child describe what the object feels like. Have the class take turns guessing what it might be.

2. Show and Tell

Many kids love to share at this age. Devoting time for children to share things is an encouraging way for them to hone their communication skills. Encourage classmates to think of questions about what their classmate has shared, as a way to develop active listening skills.

3. Feelings Corner

Many times, children at this age have trouble communicating how they are feeling. Emotions can be so abstract; they may not yet have the skills to recognize them at first. Have a designated area for kids to express these feelings, where a printout of an emotions wheel is on display. Have matching emojis that the child can silently hand to their teacher.

Create space during the day for the teacher to address these feelings with any participants. This creates a place for trust and understanding in an age group prone to outbursts when feeling misunderstood or wronged.

4. Turn-Taking

Taking turns in speaking is much like sharing a favored toy, and children need to learn the skill. An engaging exercise for this age group is color circle time. Each child gets a turn in the center of the circle speaking about a chosen subject.

For instance, the color yellow. The child would get 15 seconds to list all of the yellows he or she sees in the room. Then that child names another color for the next child in the center. Before the next turn, each new participant says two things that they heard from the previous sharer.

5. Picture-Telling

Have a variety of pictures for each child. Give each a time limit and let them describe what they see in story form. During this exercise, they are processing visual cues and utilizing their ability to speak them to the classroom. The other children practice their listening skills.

6. Finish-the-Nursery-Rhyme Story

Children need to be familiar with the particular nursery rhymes for this activity to be fun. Help kids imagine and express alternative endings to nursery rhymes in a fun and creative way. Have each kid add to the shared ending and as a class, develop alternative endings to various nursery rhyme stories.

Storytelling is a rich way to practice listening and communication.

Improve communication skills in children with highly effective games – Kreative Leadership

Classrooms are not for the faint of heart. Teachers deserve the credit for establishing the parameters for their students to learn basic communication. What a teacher tolerates and encourages from their students is one way that children absorb communication habits.

Kids are clever. They know what they can “get away with,” and they look to adult figures for examples of how to speak and act. Thus, classroom parameters are paramount, especially when students get to “make the rules” too. Adults always make the rules, but when students help with the process, they are likely to exhibit more buy-in.

Criticism and judgment from classmates should be avoided in classroom culture as much as possible. These issues must be addressed, while also recognizing students practicing clear and kind communication.

The language and tone used in classrooms are important. Teachers who berate and shame kids may speak of frustration with unhappy and critical students.

Kids are smart—they respond to respect.

As the leader in the classroom, teachers are in a position to influence positive language and tone. Congruent communication is one way for teachers to demonstrate skills in the classroom (Brown, 2005). The role of active listening and body language among adolescents can help create an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding between teacher and students.

Empathetic listening by the teacher creates a connection with the students that allows them to feel “heard.”

Social interaction among peers is also important in the growth of communication skills. The more inclusive the focus of a classroom, the more growth each student will experience.

We are hard-wired to cooperate with others. Fostering positive interactions will benefit the entire culture of the classroom, as well as teach children skills that will serve them throughout life.

Practice makes improvement—not perfection. Once kids are aware of these skills, the practice is available in every interaction.

Active listening skills through reinforcement
Group projects with collaboration
Know the benefit of open-ended questions
Developing empathy

Telephone is a common “playground game,” and also a powerful metaphor for teaching miscommunications and the practice of sharing information. The rest of the games, like Telephone, are also quite fun.

1. Telephone

Have students gather together in a circle. The instructor will whisper one short topic, sentence, or phrase into the ear of the student next to them. This phrase will be whispered into the ear of each student around the circle until arriving back at the instructor, who will then compare the original sentence to the one that it became.

2. Emotional Charades

Write-out scenarios that might provoke emotion in participants. The scenarios should be generally light emotions like forgetting your lunch, losing your phone, hearing a rumor about you, waiting for a bus, or forgetting your homework.

Each student then gets a scenario and acts it out with no speaking. After the scenario is guessed, discuss the emotional response. The more easily students can verbally express their emotions, the more easily a teacher can communicate with them and reference confusing feelings.

3. Audio Book Interaction

Scholastic has many interactive books available to students for free. The benefit of this interactive experience is for the student to align reading with speaking the words of the book.

4. Internet Resources

www.creatubbles.com is one website that unites students around the world and offers a platform to learn about creative and effective communication skills.

5. Role-Playing

This is a great way to expand empathy and perspective-taking. Setting goals for the roles is helpful, to guide the students toward vocabulary that will better facilitate cooperation.

For instance, assigning students as parents or teachers allows the kids to be creative in thinking of words that adults would use, and how it might feel to be in a situation from a view other than their own.

6. The Follow All Instructions Activity

Create a list of detailed instructions. The first instruction should be READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS FIRST. The last listed should be IGNORE ALL OTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE TOP OF THIS PAPER.

The purpose of the activity is for students to communicate the importance of reading all instructions first before beginning any project. It offers a great conversation as well, for students of all ages.

So far we have covered a lot of games geared towards younger audiences, although they can be applied to older students too. Now we offer resources specifically for older students.

1. Famous Pairs

Create a list of well-known famous pairs. For instance, peanut butter and jelly, Romeo and Juliet, Superman and Lois Lane, etc. Each participant should receive a post-it-note with one half of a famous pair on their back.

Moving throughout the room, with only three questions per person, the participants try to figure out who the person is on their back.

Once the person has discovered who they are, they need to find their partner. If the other partner has not figured out his/her identity, they must not reveal themselves until they know.

2. The Best Parts of Our School

Many students are negative when it comes to their interpretation of school. In an effort to recognize what is good about your school, this activity is connective and a communication skills builder. This activity should be conducted over three days.

The first day is spent with each student listing 10 things that they consider the best parts of their school. The second day is spent in groups. The groups will create a coordinated list of agreed-upon best parts of their school. The third day is spent creating a class collective list after each group presents their best parts of their school ideas to the class.

3. The Enigmatic Self

We are often mysterious to others. This game promotes self-awareness about what you find mysterious about yourself. In this activity, students write down three things about themselves that no one else knows. In groups of 3 or 4 students, each read the mysterious aspects to each other.

Each group collects the mysteries. At a later time, each group reads the fact list and the remainder of the class tries to guess who the facts are from on the list. Encourage deep respect for these mysteries. Encourage students to celebrate the uniqueness of each other.

Classrooms with solid trust are often built on awareness and appreciation of each other.

4. Stand Up for Fillers

How many people use “like” or “um,” or “uh” or “so,” or “right” to fill a silent space? It is a nervous habit that is often rooted in the perceived discomfort of silence. This activity helps eliminate these fillers in conversation or in public speaking.

Each student is given a topic that they will speak about for 1-3 minutes (topic is not important; it should be simple). During their speaking time, the remainder of the class will stand when they hear any of these fillers occur in the speech.

The class is listening and the speaker is hyper-aware of the words that they use. It is a deliberate shock to the speaker to see the entire class stand when they hear these fillers and helps to be mindful about using precise vocabulary.

5. Blindfold Game

Create an obstacle course with everyday items in the classroom. Sort students into two groups. One person is blindfolded while the rest of the group decides how to communicate (from their seats) instructions on how to navigate through the course wearing a blindfold. Time each group and discuss which communication style was the most effective.

This activity builds trust and requires accurate communication to successfully navigate through the course. *Be sure to have at least one person to stand near the blindfolded student to help them stay safe during the course.

6. Drawn Understanding

Have two students sit back-to-back. One student has an object and the other has colored pencils and paper. The student with the object must describe it in as much detail as possible, without directly saying what it is.

The second student must draw the object as best they can, based on the communication of the student with the object.

7. Find It Together

Another blindfold is needed for this activity. Divide the group into pairs. One of the students is blindfolded. It is their job to retrieve specific objects from a designated circle. The other student guides their blindfolded partner to retrieve the correct object.

This game can get chaotic because of other blindfolded participants. It requires discussions after the activity, as well as voice recognition and teamwork. A closing discussion question could be something like, “How did people ignore the distractions of other sounds?” It can lead to great conversations on listening and volume control.

Students at the college level have likely developed some effective communication skills. At this level of education, there are still deep needs to practice communication—it is a skill that needs work.

1. The Guessing Game

This activity is a fun way to introduce and show the difference between closed and open questions. Split your class into two equal groups/teams. One person from each team will leave the room for a minute and think of a business object (any common business object that can be found in any office like a stapler, printer, etc.).

When each person returns, it’s the team’s task to ask him/her closed-ended questions only to try and guess the object. If needed, explain that closed-ended questions are those that can be answered only by a yes or no. Once any team finds the object, this means that they won this round. And they can go for another round.

After two or three rounds, end the game and lead a classroom discussion. Tell the group that it took a long time and effort to find out the object in each round, but what if they had no time and only one question to ask to find out the object: what would that question be?

The question would be “What is the object?” which is an open-ended question. Open-ended questions are an excellent way to save time and energy and help you get to the information you need fast.

However, closed questions can also be useful to confirm your understanding or to help you control the conversation with an overly talkative person/customer.

2. One Word Letters

Communication Practice in Writing Letters

The instructor will start a clock (2-minute time limit). During the two minutes, the pair will write a single letter between them. Each of them will add only one word at a time.

The pair is to write as quickly as possible, not going back to re-read anything, but the last word added.

Letters and Communication Practice. Image Retrieved as Free Photo by Pixaby.

Grammar and spelling are unimportant. Punctuation is only added for sense in the letter. The letter may be written to anyone that the pair decides. It does not need to be a finished letter.

Once the time is up, the letter is read aloud to each other, or the group if classroom trust is solid.

Something interesting occurs when this activity is repeated. The original letters are nonsensical and amusing.

As the process is repeated, the pair’s language begins to become more cohesive. It makes for a rich discussion.

3. Study Groups

Creating space for college students to manage a group culture is practice for future employment and collaborations. Study groups are one way to create the space for effective communication skills to be fostered.

Setting up the study groups for the class can form new bonds between students, and challenge them with handling situations that students might not naturally enter. The benefits of effective learning and the development of cooperative communication skills are far-reaching (Colbeck, Campbell, & Bjorklund, 2000).

4. Team Debate Projects

Collaboration is an important skill for students to have in the world of employment, opinions, and creating solutions. To understand any selected course material, have students argue a point against another within a mediated session.

There are many resources on how to facilitate team debates. Discuss the complications that may arise with debates, and how they can practice listening and being willing to change their mind if the argument is convincing.

5. Peer Mentoring

Leadership development requires advanced communication skills. A productive way to develop these skills is through the active engagement of peer mentorship programs. The give and take that exists within this relationship will fully develop skills in both parties.

Mentors benefit from the self-confidence boost that their guidance is needed, while mentees benefit from advice and a role model.

These games can all start or end with a discussion on what is more valuable in communication: nonverbal or verbal cues?

1. You Don’t Say

Divide the group into smaller groups of 5-7 people. Write out a list of non-verbal behaviors.

Have the groups act out and interpret the meanings of these behaviors. This activity helps participants recognize nonverbal communication cues from others. Within their groups, have students display one of the nonverbal behaviors, while everyone else in the group shares or writes down what nonverbal message they are receiving.

Non-verbal behaviors can include:

Leaning back in a chair with arms crossed;
Leaning forward in a chair;
Resting chin in both hands;
Resting chin on knuckles;
Rubbing your temples;
Tapping fingers on the table;
Looking at your watch;
Staring around the room;

Ask the participants afterward to share their small-group findings. Ask the class if anyone has ever experienced a nonverbal cue that signaled to them much stronger than any words? Chances are that they have, and this provides context from their direct experience.

2. Picture Telling with Writing

To promote creative communication, this activity engages descriptive language and storytelling. Hold up a picture with people in it. Have the group write about what the people are doing and feeling in the picture.

With smaller children, the instructor can ask them to draw what happens next. This is a great form of imagination and emotional expression.

Have a list of topic questions prepared. Divide groups into partners. Have one partner act out the answer to the topic question. The second partner guesses by writing what they believe the answer is on a piece of paper.

4. Movement Sticks

Hold two poles between the fingers of pairs. Together the pair will adjust to the movement of the poles. This is a fun and interactive way to attune body language.

Divide the group into pairs. Have one partner be chosen as a leader. The other will follow the facial expressions and body language of the leader. This works on eye contact and emotional awareness, along with improvement in awareness of body language cues.

Switch the leader with the follower for the second round. Ask the class if they preferred to follow or lead, and why?

These games have been around for decades and are still fantastic for teaching active listening skills. Everyone knows the directions, and most people enjoy playing.

Red Light, Green Light
Musical Chairs

4. Popcorn Storytelling

This game is fun for all ages. Have the group sit in a circle. Give the group a starting sentence. For instance, “Once upon a time, a tiny gray elephant….” Have each participant add to the story based on what the previous participant has added to the story. It is a great demonstration of utilizing active listening.

5. What’s My Favorite Movie?

Have each participant describe their favorite movie to a partner. Then, in pairs ask them to repeat their partner’s favorite movie. Only those who have actively listened will be able to accurately repeat the favorites. It’s tough when the game has many participants.

Saying ‘yes’ to every request or opportunity can be harmful, especially when it stands in the way of us living in line with our values.

In Greg McKeown’s book ‘ Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ,’ the idea of saying ‘no’ to increase valued living is put forward. McKeown suggested that we can learn to say ‘no’ gracefully to prioritize doing things that serve us. However, saying ‘no’ is often easier said than done.

So, here are guideposts to help you learn to say ‘no’ gracefully.

Saying no to someone can be made easier by tapping into our values. Research shows that living our lives according to our values benefits our health and wellbeing. Thus, saying yes to someone or something that commits you to something that feels ‘wrong’ is doing yourself a disservice. When we feel the tension between what we feel is right and what someone asks us to do, we experience value-incongruence. Navigating these moments by tuning in to our values will allow us to say ‘no’ more easily.
Saying no to someone’s request can often feel like we are saying no to the person. Learning to recognize that declining the request is not the same as declining the person enables us to do what’s right for us without fearing that we are hurting someone’s feelings.
Rather than focusing on what we will lose by saying no, consider what we will gain. We can reorient our attention to what we will gain by ‘missing out’ to make it easier to say no.
When someone asks us for something, they ask us to give them something. This is a cost. Recognizing what we are giving away by saying yes can help us say no.
Finally, communicate clearly. Vague attempts to ‘soften the blow’ with non-committal language only lead to confusion and make our eventual ‘no’ that much harder.

Assertive communication is a healthy way to express one’s needs. Being respectful and honest may still cause discomfort, and negotiating that discomfort is a critical skill. The following are activities that can help teens to develop these vital communication skills.

1. Emotion Awareness

Being attuned to our own emotional needs is the foundation of understanding why we are happy or frustrated with others. Many teens have trouble putting words to how they are feeling, and that is often a matter of knowing how to identify complex emotions.

In this activity, provide each participant with a sheet of various emojis. Take the group through various emotion-invoking scenarios. Have them keep track and label the emotions that popped up for them. Being able to name emotions as they are cued is a first step in improving emotional intelligence, and also relaxes the amygdala from over-firing.

Divide the group into pairs. The pair will get two different sets of instructions.

Person 1 instructions will read: Person 2 will make a fist. You MUST get that fist open. Person 2 instructions will read: Person 1 is going to attempt to get you to open your fist. You must NOT open your fist unless he/she asks you politely and assertively.

Most people will try to pry the fist open. It is an opportunity to efficiently explain assertive communication. Knowing the power of good communication skills is important in building them properly.

Discuss with the students how the directions influenced their actions. Did they consider a peaceful way of asking? Why or why not? What communication role-models do movies and media offer?

3. Situation Samples

Have a list of scenarios where assertive communication would be the most effective. Offer the teens an opportunity to practice responses to the situations. Have them demonstrate aggressive, passive, and then assertive styles.

When they know the difference, the better they may practice it in real life scenarios.

Some sample scenarios could be:

You are standing in line at the check-out and two salespeople are engrossed in a deep conversation ignoring you.
Your teacher graded a paper that you feel should have received a higher mark.
Someone calls you a name that is hurtful.

Go through various options for responses and get the teens brainstorming.

4. Eye Contact Circle

This nonverbal skill is essential in assertive communication. A creative way to build this skill is with this circle. Create a circle with group participants. Each participant will answer the same question (ie: what is your favorite ice cream flavor) and after answering must find mutual eye contact with someone across the circle.

Once this eye contact is made, the participant must call out their partner’s name and slowly switch places with them, while maintaining that eye contact. Eye contact is one of the basic principles of communication and trusting others.

5. Role-playing

Put the group into pairs and have them play different roles. Have the teens brainstorm scenarios from the past where they wish they had been more assertive. This also can be used in the workplace with employees, where people brainstorm in pairs.

This gives people the chance to learn from mistakes, and the empowerment to express their needs during the next uncomfortable situation. Have a list of possible scenarios ready, just in case the brainstorming doesn’t produce enough opportunities to explore.

17 Exercises To Develop Positive Communication

17 Positive Communication Exercises [PDFs] to help others develop communication skills for successful social interactions and positive, fulfilling relationships.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Good communication is a skill that serves people in every area of life. Even the best communicators make mistakes, let alone those of us still learning how to improve. Imagine a world where everyone knew the emotion behind their message and tried to communicate with assertive kindness.

Equipping children with effective communication skills results in higher levels of emotional intelligence, higher test scores, lowering incidents of bullying, and improvements in overall mental well-being. There is so much to gain from practicing these skills.

With the omnipresence of technological advances, kids need to practice these face-to-face skills more than ever.

Building these skills in all age groups builds a society for empathy and emotional resilience. The more practice kids get in school and at home, the better these skills will become. Adults and kids alike have endless opportunities to change how they speak and address their shared needs.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free .

Brown, D. F. (2005). The significance of congruent communication in effective classroom management. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas , 79 (1), 12-15.
Clark, M., & Bussey, K. (2020). The role of self-efficacy in defending cyberbullying victims. Computers in Human Behavior , 109.
Colbeck, C. L., Campbell, S. E., & Bjorklund, S. A. (2000). Grouping in the dark: What college students learn from group projects. The Journal of Higher Education , 71 (1), 60-83.
Forman, S. G., & Kalafat, J. (1998). Substance abuse and suicide: Promoting resilience against self-destructive behavior in youth. School Psychology Review , 27 (3), 398-406.
Goode, D. A. (1986). Kids, culture and innocents. Human Studies, 9 (1), 83–106.
Irvin, J. L., & Richardson, T. L. (2002). The importance of emotional intelligence during transition into middle school. Middle School Journal, 33 (3), 55–58.
Khoury-Kassabri, M. (2012). The relationship between teacher self-efficacy and violence toward students as mediated by teacher’s attitude. Social Work Research , 36 (2), 127-139.
Knutson, J. F., & Lansing, C. R. (1990). The relationship between communication problems and psychological difficulties in persons with profound acquired hearing loss. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders , 55 (4), 656-664.
Leung, L. (2007). Stressful life events, motives for internet use, and social support among digital kids. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10 (2), 204–214.
McCroskey, J. C. (1977). Oral communication apprehension: A summary of recent theory and research. Human Communication Research , 4 (1), 78-96.
Nørgaard, B., Ammentorp, J., Ohm Kyvik, K., & Kofoed, P. E. (2012). Communication skills training increases self‐efficacy of health care professionals. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions , 32 (2), 90-97.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). The darker and brighter sides of human existence: Basic psychological needs as a unifying concept. Psychological Inquiry , 11 (4), 319-338.
Stanfield, J. (2017). 8 Tips to teach effective communication skills. Retrieved from https://stanfield.com/8-tips-teach-effective-communication-skills/
Zeki, C. P. (2009). The importance of non-verbal communication in classroom management. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences , 1 (1), 1443-1449.

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What our readers think.

Communication is the key. People need other people to survive. Great communication can lead to great achievements. That’s why we need to teach our kids to converse their thoughts and emotions with each other. I have some info on communication skills as well. Check out here https://aliciaortego.com/communication-skills-for-kids/

Hey Kelly Your article gave me lot of information and encouragement as I am taking up a communication course for some teachers. Thanks a lot dear

I teach Communication skills in a Nursing School. I find your activities very engaging and allows the student to realise the importance of good communication.

I am a teacher in a High School Medical academy. We are working on Communications skills and I cant wait to use some of these games with my students. They are so technology oriented that They will need to learn these skills for the medical field. I wanted to share too that a game I used for team work and communication was the one where yo have items on a table covered and you have them peek for a few seconds then cover back up and they have to make a list. They will need to work together and communicate in order to make the list correct. Tank you for your suggestions.

Ms Miller, You’re article was so helpful for me, as a mother of a a child whose anxiety is increasing related to a language based LD recently diagnosed. Oral expression is a challenge esp as she is entering middle school. I am in Toronto Canada and in search of a good Speech Pathologist who can help. Given that Covid has created a remote reality, could you suggest a a good SP taking patients remotely?

Thank you for sharing these articles. They are very interesting and useful

The article was very beneficial with different activities one could do with the students in class or they could do with parents at home. I particularly like the fact that those activities build students’ self-efficacy since this is an important aspect for the primary years program.Thank you very much.

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Speech Blubs

by Blub Blub

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Your Non-verbal Child: How to Set Communication Goals

Natalie barnes.

Speech Therapist and Audiologist , Cape Town , South Africa

Jan 17, 2022 There are many reasons why your child may be non-verbal. The key is for you to identify and understand the range of their communication difficulty and possibly the underlying cause. In this blog you will find out about stages of communication, setting your speech goals for a non-verbal child, and how to actively encourage your child's communication.

Having a non-verbal child isn’t easy. Even knowing what a child’s communication development stages are is a lot of work. Not to mention learning to understand nonverbal communication, speech therapy goals, or even what it means to have effective communication with your child, your non-verbal child.

The best place to start is to take the first step and learn about setting goals and objectives that are realistic. First, let’s look at what ‘non-verbal’ means.

Encourage Communication with Non-verbal Child

Help your child make requests.

Encourage Your Child Refuse or Tell You “No”

Help Your Child Learn to Greet and Say “Bye”

Encourage your child to interact or make comments, help your child make choices.

How Speech Blubs Can Help your Child

For example, your child may be non-verbal due to a language disorder or speech delay ; they may even have a physical speech impediment that prevents them from being able to speak at all.

The most common cause of children being non-verbal is that they have difficulty understanding social interactions and responding within them – something that is largely seen in autistic children and other developmental disorders such as Down syndrome.

What is Communication?

Before you can help your nonverbal child to verbalize, you need to understand why you want them to verbalize, and what skills they require to do so.

Children and adults verbalize in order to communicate. Communication happens when one person sends a message to another person. You can send this message in a variety of ways and for different reasons.

The core aspects of communication involve:

How you communicate, and
Why you communicate.

Communication is a process. Effective communication is built through interaction and connection, which is the basis of two-way communication . Oftentimes, non-verbal children have difficulty verbalizing because they have some degree of difficulty interacting with others. This makes developing communication skills even harder.

In order to have successful interactions your child needs to:

Respond to others’ communication attempts, and
Initiate communication attempts with others

If you’d like to learn more about communication and how complex it can be, watch this video .

Your Child’s Likes and Dislikes

Nonverbal Child Communication Activities

The most important tool to use when working on communication with non-verbal children is targeting their likes and dislikes. You can use these to encourage communication by focusing on their likes so that you know what motivates them to communicate. Use structured activities that will incorporate your child’s likes and dislikes!

Free Assessment!

Take this quiz and get a report on your child’s milestones and a personalized learning plan.

Just because your child isn’t speaking, doesn’t mean that they aren’t communicating . Children communicate through actions, sounds, body language, and words. If you discover how your child communicates, you can develop their strengths and teach them other forms of communication through those modalities.

Your child may be communicating non-verbally:

Crying or screaming
Moving their body next to people and things they are interested in
Turning their body away from people and things they aren’t interested in
Using gestures and facial expressions
Reaching with an open hand for things they want
Taking your hand to get you to do things for them
Looking at things they want
Pointing to things they want and then at you for assistance
Using pictures
Making sounds and speech sounds

It’s not enough to simply look at how your child communicates, you also need to look at why they communicate. Once you know the purpose of their communication you can help your child find more ways and more reasons to communicate .

In her book “ More Than Words : A Guide to Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ,” author Fern Sussman describes non-verbal children as being on a four-stage continuum.

By identifying your child’s stage of communication, you will know what they can and cannot do, as well as what you can expect them to do next. This will help you set communication goals for them.

These are the four stages of speech and language development by Fern Sussman:

1) Own Agenda Stage

A child at this stage wants to play alone and appears uninterested in people and activities around them. They don’t understand that they can affect people by sending a message directly to them, so they display no intentional communication. You can expect your child to:

Understand almost no words
Almost never interact with other children
Cry or scream to protest
Interact with you briefly
Want to do things alone
Reach for what they want
Look at what they want
Play in unusual ways

2) Requester Stage

A child at this stage is beginning to realize that their actions can have an effect on you . They ask you for things they want or need by pulling or leading you to it, and they enjoy playing physical “People Games.” You can expect your child to:

Echo/copy a few words that you say in an attempt to communicate
Understand the steps in familiar routines
Request that you continue a physical “People Game” with eye contact, smiles, body movements, and sounds when you pause or stop playing
Occasionally follow directions if they can see what they need to do

3) Early Communicator Stage

A child at this stage is using specific gestures, sounds, pictures or words consistently to ask for things in very motivating situations. Their social interactions last longer and their communication is more intentional , though they still mainly communicate to ask you to do things for them. You can expect your child to:

Interact with you and familiar people in familiar situations
Take more turns in “People Games”
Begin to protest or refuse using the same forms of communication
Occasionally use the same forms of communication to get your attention or to show you something
Understand simple, familiar sentences with visual cues
Understand the names of familiar objects and people without visual cues
Say “hi” and “bye”
Answer yes/no questions
Answer “what’s that?” questions

4) Partner Stage

A child at this stage is a more effective communicator with a certain set of language skills. They should be able to talk and carry on a simple conversation . They sometimes can’t come up with their own words and rely on memorized words or phrases.

This usually happens in unfamiliar situations when they don’t understand what is being said and struggle to grasp the rules of conversation. You can expect your child to:

Participate in longer interactions with you
Play with other children successfully in familiar play routines
Draw your attention to something
Ask and answer questions
Talk about the past and the future
Express feelings
Make up their own sentences
Sometimes repair or fix what they say when someone doesn’t understand them

Setting Communication Goals

Now that you have read about the stages of communication, and know your child’s level of communication, you can set goals for them to challenge and actively encourage their communication.

You can do this by following Fern Sussman’s communication continuum as described in her book “More Than Words,” as well as this post.

Just because your child isn’t speaking, doesn’t mean that they aren’t communicating.

The key to helping your child communicate lies in setting realistic expectations for them . Ultimately, you want your child to achieve the following primary goals:

Interaction with you and other people
Communicating in new ways
Communicating for new reasons

The best way to achieve these goals is to use your child’s likes and dislikes, as well as their stage of communication .

Once you know your child’s stage, continue reading this article.

1) Goals for the Own Agenda Stage

Encourage your child to have joyful interactions with you in physical “People Games”
Set up situations for your child to communicate intentionally, starting with requests
Teach your child to take turns using forms of communication (body movement, eye contact, smiling, sounds, etc.) during physical and sensory play
Increase your child’s understanding of activities so that they can begin to respond to what you say

For more information, guidance, and techniques on how to work with your non-verbal child at the Own Agenda stage watch this video:

2) Goals for the Requester Stage

Help your child use an action or sound to get you to continue a physical “People Game”
Help your child replace pulling and leading you with forms of communication
Increase the things for which your child makes requests
Help your child understand several familiar words
Encourage your child to play “People Games” with other familiar people – like siblings or grandparents

This video will tell you how to work with a child at the Requester Stage:

3) Goals for the Early Communicator Stage

Teach your child to take turns with you and other people in physical “People Games”
Encourage your child to initiate physical “People Games” rather than just waiting for you to do so
Help your child increase their use of communication forms to make requests in new situations
“Echoes/copying” into spontaneous speech
Gestures into signs, speech, or picture communication
Picture communication into verbal communication
Single-word communication into short phrases
Refuse and protest
Answer questions
Say “hello” and “bye”
Shift their gaze between you and something they’re interested in
Draw your attention to someone or something
Comment on unusual or favorite things
Help your child understand familiar words and phrases and follow simple directions

4) Goals for the Partner Stage

Replacing “echolalia/copying” with their own words
Using correct words and sentences in conversation
Answering closed- and open-ended question
Talking about the past and future
Talking about feelings
Playing “Pretend”
Showing them how to start and end a conversation
Showing them how to stay on topic
Explaining that others don’t always understand what they mean so they have to change what they say
Explaining that they should ask for clarification if they don’t understand
Identify and describe feelings
Make comparisons
Problem-solve
That other people have different points of view
Help your child play and communicate successfully with other children

How to work with kids at the Early Communicator or Partner stage :

The best way to get your non-verbal child communicating is by giving them a reason to communicate . It is very tempting to ensure that your child has everything they need and that it is well within reach. However, if your child doesn’t have any difficulty getting what they want, then they don’t have any reason to communicate with you. Thus, you need to create situations that encourage communication.

Here are some suggestions to encourage children of all ages to communicate for a variety of reasons. Remember that not all of these communications need to be verbal . If your child communicates using sounds, gestures, facial expressions, or even pictures, then it counts as a communicative attempt.

Place their favorite things out of reach

If you place your child’s favorite food or toy on a high shelf or countertop that they can see but cannot reach, then they are more likely to ask you for help so that they can get it. You can also place these items in a clear plastic container that is hard to open. Your child will be able to see what they want, but they will have to ask you for help to get it

Use people toys

These toys are hard to operate and encourage interaction because your child needs your help to make them work. Give your child time to look at the toy and step in when you see them becoming frustrated or when they ask for your help.

Wind-up and squeeze toys

Once you have wound up a toy or squeezed it to make it jump it will stop moving. Hand it to your child and wait for them to request that you make it move again

Blow a few bubbles and then pause. Wait for your child to ask you to blow them again

Blow up a balloon and let the air out, then put the balloon to your mouth and wait for your child to ask you to blow it up again

Music boxes

Wind up the music box and let the music play, then wait for your child to ask you to do it again once the music has stopped

Jack-in-the-box

Wind up the jack-in-the-box and let him pop out. Wait for your child to ask you to do it again

Mirrors are fantastic for playing peek-a-boo games and copycat games. You can play any game or sing any song in front of the mirror. Wait for your child to ask you to do any of the activities again, and encourage them to play copycat games with you

Offer things bit-by-bit

If you give your child everything they want all at once, then they won’t need to ask you for anything. By giving your non-verbal child things in small amounts, you are providing them with more opportunities to communicate their needs to you. Some toys, like Lego ’s, are easy to give out bit-by-bit, as are snacks like raisins and potato chips.

Give all but one

Give your child all but one of the things they need for an activity. Hold it out of their reach, but in their view, and wait for them to ask you for it .

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Help Your Child Refuse or Tell You “No”

Offer their least favorite things

Offer your child food, drink, or a toy that you know they do not like so that you give them the opportunity to say “no”

Let your child end the activity

Wait until your child gets bored with an activity and then let them tell you, through whatever mode of communication they prefer, that they have had enough

Use puppets, stuffed animals , or Legos

A puppet or a Lego Minifigur e can demonstrate greeting and saying “bye” by repeating the action several times as you make the puppet appear and disappear behind your back, encouraging your child to say it with you and then on their own

Ut ilize your window

Stand at your window when you are expecting guests and wave at them and say “hi” as they walk up to your door. Encourage your child to do the same and then eventually to do it on their own. You can do this when the guest leaves as well

Create predictable routines, then present a surprise

Adding a surprise to your daily routines encourages your child to react and to hopefully want to communicate about it

Look through a book whilst pointing and naming pictures, then turn a page and point to a picture but don’t say anything, let your child name the picture. Let your child help you unpack the groceries and show great interest in the items, naming them as you take them out of the bag. When you come to your child’s favorite food, wait for them to get excited and name it

Offer something different

Play with toys that use multiple pieces, like puzzles, and pass your child each piece. Then give them something completely different (like a marble) and wait for them to react

Make mistakes “accidentally”

Children love it when their parents make mistakes and do something silly. You could put their shoes on their feet the wrong way or try and put their trousers over their heads whilst getting dressed. You can wait for your child to react and then laugh about it

When all is going smoothly, make something go wrong

A good idea is when you are eating dinner or breakfast, you can “accidentally” drop your fork on the floor and wait for your child to react or let you know

Pretend you don’t know where things are

You and your child can search for things together if you act like you don’t know where they are. Exaggerate your distress and wait for your child to react

Pretend that you’re “broken”

Set situations up so that it looks like you are experiencing difficulty doing things. You could pretend that you don’t hear the doorbell ringing which gives your child an opportunity to get your attention and tell you what is going on

Start with easy choices

The easiest choice for your child to make is between two things that they can see. One must be something they really like and the other something that they dislike. Hold the choices up in front of them and at first, offer the favorite choice last.

This is because children who are first learning to make choices often choose the last object presented. Once your child is experienced in making choices, you can offer the favorite choice first.

Give visual cues

Your child will need visual cues to help them make choices at first. You can hold real objects, point to real objects, or point to pictures of real objects. Present these in the same way that you did for their easy choices and then increase the level of difficulty

Yes/No choices

This is the same method that you used for helping your child make easy choices, however, you now want to encourage them to verbalize. Hold up what they don’t want and encourage them to say “no.” If your child cannot answer, respond to them to show them what they should do and then try again. Do this with the item that they want as well

Speech Blubs was built for non-verbal children

Our app has plenty of vocabulary activities for your child to choose from, which encourages them to communicate intentionally by selecting what they would like to do and by working through the different situations in each of our “games.” By doing this, your child will learn and understand several familiar words and use them to initiate communication in new situations.

The kids on our app prompt your child when to speak, and because of the fun nature of our “games,” you’re likely to find your child requesting to play and responding to you in no time at all!

The app supports non-verbal children by allowing them to learn initially whilst observing the kids in the app. They can then begin to imitate the kids when they’re ready.

Remember, if you are unsure about why your child may be non-verbal or if they are having difficulty communicating, you can use our free screener by downloading our app. The screener will highlight your child’s strengths and weaknesses and we’ll even give you a personalized report and actionable advice with the results. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play .

You have an ally in Speech Blubs and our biggest success is seeing your child achieve their greatest potential.

Have a question for our Speech Therapists?

The author’s views are entirely his or her own and may not necessarily reflect the views of Blub Blub Inc. All content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgement, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Speech & Language Activities

Back to School Speech Therapy Activities – Plus a Free Activity

Are you starting to think about Back-to-School speech therapy activities for your students? The activities I’m going to talk about include lots of visuals , so they are particularly good for preschoolers, students on the autism spectrum, and non-verbal/minimally verbal students who use AAC!

You could use some of these activities as First Day of speech therapy activities and use the rest throughout the first month of school.

RELATED READ: Back-to-School Speech-Language Activities for Elementary Students

This post contains affiliate links, which means we could receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended.

Back-to-School Speech Therapy Activities:

School-themed interactive books.

I like interactive books because the moveable pieces keep little hands busy and attention on the book. They are also nice in that the student can see how many pages/questions are left since they move a piece from the side to the page until they are out of pieces.

“My School Things” interactive book is a nice introduction to school object function questions. Each page features a different common school object and talks about its use. The pictures are not an exact match but have plenty of visual clues to help students be successful. ( Also available on Boom Cards )

“Maya’s First Day of School” interactive book follows Maya and introduces school people, places, and things. Each page includes a Wh- question with a visual choice. (Here’s the Boom Cards version .)

“My Favorite Things about School” Activity – Free Download (A great first day of speech therapy activity)

I love to start a new year with a fun, get-to-know-you activity that is errorless. Just because there are no “right” answers, doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of opportunities to practice language skills! (social skills, school vocabulary, turn-taking, etc.)

This School Favorite Things Booklet encourages sharing opinions with peers for students who benefit from visual choices. (Plus, it can be differentiated for many levels, making it perfect for speech groups !)

In this activity, students fill in five pages about their favorite school things (like favorite playground equipment, subject, school supply, art activity, and specials class) by gluing in a picture or by writing and drawing. Some students might be generating their own ideas while others are using visual choices. They can share their answers with the group or compare them with a friend’s answers.

You can get “My Favorite Things about School” for FREE in my TpT store by clicking here !

Back-to-School Speech Therapy Craft

I love to shake things up with a good craft! I tend to come across a lot of “roll-and-draw” activities (where you roll a dice to see what part to draw on next), but since some of my students have limited fine motor skills, gluing on pieces works much better for me ! (I made a series of roll-and-glue crafts just for that reason.)

This Roll-a-Bus Craft is great for small group speech therapy or individual sessions. You can have students work on requesting a turn, passing the dice, stating the number and piece they rolled and requesting any materials they need!

RELATED: Fall Speech Therapy Activities

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Who doesn’t love Pete the Cat!? I like this one because it focuses on places at school . It repeatedly presents the question, “Where is Pete going?”

The places targeted include the bus, library, lunchroom, playground, and classroom.

Action words targeted include reading, eating, playing, singing, painting, adding, and writing.

You can find the book on Amazon here (affiliate link)

Free Back-to-School Activity: School Objects Scavenger Hunt

Luckily, school objects are all around – you might want to strategically place some of the items so students are not rummaging through your stuff. You can start off by previewing the vocabulary on your list. Then the search is on!

If you have a speech room where you can dim the lights, I love to add a flashlight into the mix!

You can grab this Free School Scavenger Hunt here !

School Vocabulary + Object Function Questions

One way to work on school-themed vocabulary is to sort summer items by categories. You can have students use these sorting mats to work on school-themed sorting and vocabulary !

For students working on “what” questions, function of objects, and school vocab , these School Object Function question cards are a simple, fun way to target those objectives. (Also available in a Boom Cards version .)

School-Themed WH- Questions

Let’s face it, you are probably going to be targeting Wh- questions A LOT this year. A great way to target Wh- questions and teach about school people, places, and things is with these school-themed Wh- Question Cards. They include lots of visuals to help your students with comprehension of both the question and of the answer choices. ( Here’s the Boom Cards version .)

I like to use this FREE Wh- Types Chart to teach (and prompt) the different types of Wh- Questions.

RELATED: Using Visuals to Teach WH- Questions

RELATED: Fall Activities for Language Therapy

I hope some of these Back to School speech therapy activities will work for your caseload too!

Looking for a bundle of all the above back-to-school speech therapy activities at a discount?

Click HERE for the BUNDLE

Free Wh Question Cards - Printable or BOOM Cards Versions

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Free your time. Fresh, ready activities.

Speech therapy activities designed for therapists and kids to love.

Engaging Resources

Engaged therapy sessions, here you come! Speech & language activities that are guaranteed to catch the attention of any child. Perfect for digital learning and in-person fun.

BUNDLE Executive Function

✨ As seen on Boom Cards Featured Bundles!

This BUNDLE of executive function cards includes problem solving stories, social stories, predicting stories, sequencing stories, and flexible thinking stories.

Multiple types of wh- questions, why and how questions, labeling exercises, multiple choice, and drag and drop categorizations are included throughout this bundle to encourage an in depth understanding of each executive functioning skill.

⭐️ 80 Problem Solving

Multiple choice question
2 labeling exercises

⭐️ 52 Social Stories

Topics of social skills to choose from (feelings, manners, listening, sharing & turns, making friends, being kind)
Sorting exercise
2 wh- questions

⭐️ 50 Predicting (✨ as seen on Top Premium Boom Cards ✨)

What questions
How questions

⭐️ 50 Sequencing

3 different what questions per story

⭐️ 40 Flexible Thinking (✨ as seen on Top Premium Boom Cards ✨)

Why questions
Labeling exercise

Each deck includes a teaching slide and visual to help your students better understand executive function skills before practicing!

CLICK HERE for Boom Cards Preview.

To use Boom Cards, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for modern Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with "Fast Pins," (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading Boom Cards). For assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account.If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account.Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial .

Wh- Questions & Short Stories

15 short stories to target wh- questions, auditory comprehension, reading comprehension, recall, and more!

Multiple levels of difficulty, including both shorter and longer paragraphs for a variety of length and detail in the stories.

⭐ Wh- Questions in Short Stories

15 Paragraph Short Stories
6 Wh- Questions for every story
Stories are 4-9 sentences in length
What, where, who, when, why, and how questions for every story

*This product contains the same activities as the Boom Cards version. If you would like the Boom Cards version, view Wh- Questions & Short Stories, Auditory Comprehension, Boom Cards.

Compare and Contrast

Compare and contrast a variety of topics with 5 different activities and over 400 prompts! Improve understanding and use of similarities and differences using this comprehensive activity.

This resource includes 5 different ways to practice comparing and contrasting , including stories, Venn diagrams, wh questions, short answers, pictures, graphs, and more. Real photos are included in this resource.

⭐️ Compare and Contrast:

5 stories with Venn diagrams
10 picture pairs with wh questions and Venn diagrams
10 picture pairs with wh questions and short answer questions
10 word pairs with wh questions and short answers
10 word pairs with graphs and word banks
2 blank templates

⭐️ Targeted Skills:

Improve use of compare and contrast
Increase comprehension of similarities and differences
Expand skills for answering questions

Topics & Questions

80 unique topics with 4 wh- questions and a story prompt to improve expressive and receptive language skills, with REAL pictures. Questions and story prompts improve story telling and sentence generation skills. What, where, who, when, why, and how questions are included, with 4 different questions for each picture.

✨ As featured on Boom Cards Top Premium Decks ✨

⭐ 80 Topics & Categories

5 activities for each topic
Real picture for every topic
4 wh-/how questions for every topic
1 story prompt for every topic
What, where, who, when, why, and how questions included

⭐ Targeted Skills

Improve receptive & expressive language
Enhance skills for answering questions
Boost story telling skills
Develop noun labeling and describing

Practice describing topics and categories, by answering questions and discussing a story prompt for each topic!

To use Boom Cards, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for modern Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with "Fast Pins," (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading Boom Cards). For assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account. If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial .

Conversation Starters

Conversation starters to improve commenting, asking questions, and answering questions during conversations. Conversation prompts has variety of ways to practice conversations, including questions, open response, fill in the blank, and more.

This resource includes multiple ways to practice conversations , including pictures, comments, questions, asking questions, and more.

⭐️ All About Me Conversation Starters:

2 what questions
1 how question
Open response opportunity

⭐️ Conversation Topics:

20 unique topics
3 open response opportunities to practice
Practice asking questions and making comments

⭐️ Conversation Photos:

20 unique photo prompts
2 open response opportunities to practice

⭐️ Boom Cards include:

20 conversation topics
20 conversation starters with real photos
Open response opportunities to practice

⭐️ Targeted skills:

Improve conversation abilities
Increase ability to ask and answer questions in conversations
Expand commenting skills during conversations

NOTE: This resource includes 1 printable PDF with a Boom Cards companion. The Boom Cards contains part of the PDF resource, but does not include the "All About Me" conversation starters. Boom Cards are digital resources. PDF pages can be used digitally with PDF applications or can be printed for in person use.

To use boom cards, you must be connected to the internet. boom cards play on modern browsers (chrome, safari, firefox, and edge). apps are available for modern android, ipads, iphones, and kindle fires. for security and privacy, adults must have a boom learning account to use and assign boom cards. you will be able to assign the boom cards you are buying with "fast pins," (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading boom cards). for assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account. if you are new to boom learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. read here for details: http://bit.ly/boomtrial ..

Problems & Solutions with Problem Size

Problem solving stories, problem size, solutions, common problems and more are included in this set. There are 80 unique problem solving and solution scenarios for critical thinking. Open response questions and multiple choice questions are included in every story! You will receive problem size and common problem teaching pages, as well as multiple examples.

⭐️ 80 Problem Solving Stories

80 unique problem scenarios
Multiple choice question for every story
2 open response exercises for every story

⭐️ Problem Size Slides & Questions

5 in-depth teaching pages
Problem size (small, medium, big) definitions
Emotions related to problem sizes
Color coordinated problem size visual
2 small problem exercises
2 medium problem exercises
2 big problem exercises

⭐️ Common Problems & Questions

Teaching slide with definitions & examples
6 scenarios of common problems
2 free response problem & solution questions per scenario

With 80 unique stories, 12 common problem scenarios, 6 problem size questions and multiple teaching pages, you will be able to use this resource for many teaching sessions. You won't need anything else!

Story Builders & Create A Story

Improve creative writing with these narrative and short story prompts! This set of 70 short story builders comes with character, location, event and time learning targets.

Help your students improve their stories and increase their creative narrative skills. There is space for students to type or write their stories, as well as an organizing task for story parts.

Your students will have all the tools they need to create unique and imaginative stories!

⭐️ Includes:

70 story builders
3 practice levels
A combination of who (character), where (location), what (event) and when (time) story part targets
36 story builders that include 2 story parts
20 story builders that include 3 story parts
14 story builders that include 4 story parts
Story parts organizing task with pictures
Space for creative writing and narrative generation
Instructions on each page

⭐️ Teaching slides:

In depth information about the 4 included story parts
Descriptions
Picture matching activities

Save your time and energy, this set is NO PREP! Includes everything you need to elicit creative, engaging stories from your students.

Perfect for SLPs, teachers, or parents looking to expand language or writing in a fun and creative way!

Social Skills & Pragmatics

Social skills and pragmatic language set to improve executive functioning skills. 52 unique stories with sorting and wh- questions!

Social skills topic can be organized by category or practiced in random order, depending on your goals! Your students will sort each card into "appropriate" or "inappropriate" categories. They also will have an opportunity to explain how to improve social skills. Keep students engaged with interactive drag and drop!

⭐️ 52 Social Skills short stories

2 scenarios per slide
Drag and drop sorting for "appropriate" or "inappropriate" behavior
What question to target improving behaviors
Why question to target critical thinking

⭐️ Skills are able to be sorted by topic:

Sharing & Turns
Making Friends

BUNDLE for Executive Function Skills also available in Shine Speech Activities shop , which includes problem solving, predicting, flexible thinking, social skills, and sequencing/planning, too!

Use this deck to help teach and practice pragmatic skills - you won't need anything else!

Sentence Comprehension & Language Comprehension

Improve sentence comprehension, language and reading comprehension, and picture comprehension with 4 activities and over 125 prompts for speech therapy or classrooms! Target comprehending, receptive language, and more.

This resource includes 4 different ways to practice sentence comprehension , including wh questions, pictures, fill in the blanks, and more. Real photos are included in this resource.

⭐️ Sentence Comprehension:

40 sentence comprehension task cards with 3 questions each
30 real photo sentence comprehension prompts
30 multiple choice reading comprehension activities
30 fill in the blank language comprehension prompts
Improve sentence comprehension skills
Increase receptive and expressive language abilities
Expand skills for understanding sentences and pictures

Categories with divergent naming, convergent naming, group, similarities, differences, and more! Words, cartoons, and real pictures included for a variety of ways to practice.

This resource includes 6 different ways to practice categories , including describing, naming, grouping, similarities, differences, and topics. Category cards include words, cartoon pictures to color, and real photos!

⭐️ Categories:

40 Describe the category
40 Name the category
40 Categories Grouping
24 Categories similarities
24 Categories differences
6 Categories Topics
10 Describe the category
15 Name the category
15 Categories Grouping
15 Categories similarities
15 Categories differences
5 Categories Topics
Improve understanding categories
Expand ability to describe categories
Practice language with categories

NOTE: This resource includes 1 printable PDF with a Boom Cards companion. The Boom Cards contains part of the PDF resource. Boom Cards are digital resources. PDF pages can be used digitally with PDF applications or can be printed for in person use.

Picture & Word Describing Webs

This set of 70 picture description webs targets describing pictures and words by color, shape, size, location, material, function, category and more. Includes 8 wh- questions for each word!

Teaching slides are also included to teach your students how to describe pictures.

⭐️ Picture Description Webs:

8 fill in the blank questions to target descriptions
Color description targets
Size description targets
Shape description targets
Location description targets
Material description targets
Function description targets
Category description targets
Who (who uses it?) description targets
Color coded targets to improve memory of ways to describe

⭐️ Teaching Slides:

Question example for each description target
Concrete examples of each description type

⭐️ Bonus Pages on PDF:

Colored blank picture web template with 8 questions
Black and white picture web template with 8 questions

BONUS! A blank PDF template for a color web and a black and white web are also included. Your students have the opportunity to draw their own unique pictures and create webs.

70 trials, plus blank webs, allows for unlimited practice of picture and word describing.

Help your students learn how to describe with this activity! PDF and Boom Cards versions are included.

Predicting in Short Stories

This activity includes 50 predicting stories . Unique and original scenarios for predicting practice!

✨ As seen on Boom Cards Top Premium Decks ✨

Each scenario includes a "what" question and a "how" question for further discussion and analysis for your students.

50 stories means you won't need any other activity for predicting! Use these randomized trials track data over multiple sessions.

⭐️ 50 Predicting story slides

Unique predicting scenarios
What question for predicting
How question for analyzing prediction

BUNDLE Figurative Language

This BUNDLE of figurative language cards includes idioms, metaphors, hyperboles, personification and similes. Over 255 practice targets with figurative language!

The set targets multiple skills so your students will have an in depth understanding of each type of figurative language! This set is a truly comprehensive approach to understanding and using figurative language.

⭐️ 60 Idioms

Yes/no questions for every trial
What questions for every trial
Free response (students have an opportunity to create their own idioms) for every trial

⭐️ 40 Metaphors

Free response (students have an opportunity to create their own metaphors) for every trial

⭐️ 40 Similes

Free response (students have an opportunity to create their own similes) for every trial

⭐️ 45 Hyperboles

Free response (students have an opportunity to create their own hyperboles) for every trial

⭐️ 40 Personification

Free response to give students opportunity to create short stories with personification

⭐️ 35 Allusions

2 what questions for every trial
Free response to encourage building allusions in sentences
Allusions to Historical figures, literature, famous fictional characters, locations/landmarks, Greek mythology, movies and more

⭐️ Each deck includes a teaching slide

Definitions
Help your students understand and identify figurative language before practicing

Preview Boom Cards HERE.

Prepositions & Spatial Concepts

This set of prepositions targets spatial and location concepts with 60 trials ! Teach your students prepositions and location with this robust, comprehensive deck.

You can pick which preposition to target, or practice with randomized slides. The teaching module will teach your students everything they need to know about each preposition before practicing!

⭐️ Prepositions include:

⭐️ learning module includes:.

Use the practice slides to practice prepositions with multiple choice. Navigate between the learning module and practice cards using the buttons at the bottom of each slide.

CLICK HERE for Boom Card Preview.

To use Boom Cards, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for modern Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with "Fast Pins," (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading Boom Cards). For assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account. If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial .

Main Idea & Supporting Details

Main idea and supporting details with 5 different ways to practice and 50 unique prompts! Improve reading comprehension and writing skills using this main ideas and detail resource.

This product contains a PDF version and a Boom Cards companion.

This resource includes 5 different ways to practice main idea and supporting details , including stories with questions, main ideas vs. details, create-a-story, grouping, and pictures with questions. Real photos are also included in this resource.

⭐️ Main Idea & Details:

10 Stories & Questions
10 Main Ideas vs. Details
10 Create-A-Story
10 Grouping
10 Pictures & Questions
Improve understanding main ideas and details
Increase reading comprehension abilities
Expand skills for creating stories

To use Boom Cards, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for modern Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with "Fast Pins," (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading Boom Cards). For assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account. If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial .

Expanding Language with Wh Questions and Real Pictures

Expand expressive language using wh- questions and sentence generation prompts with real pictures. Improve expressive language, answering questions, labeling verbs, and story generation! What, where, and who questions are included for every picture!

⭐ Expanding Language with Real Pictures

80 real life pictures
3 wh- questions for every story
Free response prompt for every story
Large variety of actions and topics within pictures
What, where, and who questions for every story
Printable pages

⭐ Targeted Skills

Improve expressive language
Enhance skills for answering questions
Boost sentence and story generation skills
Develop verb describing and labeling

Sequencing and Planning

This set of 50 sequencing and planning activity deck will help your students improve their planning skills! The deck includes a variety of sequencing and planning scenarios and trials for your students.

Each open-ended short story includes 3 color-coded wh- questions to guide sequencing.

⭐️ 50 Sequencing short stories

Unique sequencing stories
3 wh- questions per story
Color-coded questions, to match teaching slide

⭐️ Teaching slide

6 unique teaching slides with visuals
Color-coded information to match questions in trials
Drag & drop activity
Synonyms for key words
Example of a story sequence

CLICK HERE for Boom Cards Preview

Flexible Thinking & Reframing

This set of 40 flexible thinking and reframing thoughts cards teaches your students how to improve flexible thinking in difficult situations.

Each unique scenario includes multiple questions as well as a labeling exercise to encourage flexible thinking and increasing creative problem solving.

⭐️ Each Flexible Thinking trial includes:

Why question
How question

⭐️ Teaching slides include:

Flexible v. rigid thinking comparison
Flexible thinking examples
Strategies for use of flexible thinking in difficult moments

INCLUDES: Both a PDF version and a Boom Cards version!

BUNDLE for Wh- Questions also available in Shine Speech Activities shop , which includes short stories and sentences!

CLICK HERE for Boom Cards Preview .

*This product contains the same activities as the PDF version. If you would like the PDF version, view Wh- Questions & Short Stories, Auditory Comprehension .

Inferencing & Context Clues

70 inferencing and context clues trials to improve critical thinking skills! Each trial comes with 4 unique clues to help your students make an inference. They can then provide their answer, and drag the cover away to see the correct answer and a picture.

⭐️ As featured on Boom Cards Top Premium Decks ⭐️

⭐ 70 Inferencing & Context Clues Slides:

4 clues for every word
Space to type an answer
Drag to uncover the correct answer
Pictures of the correct answer

⭐ Skills targeted:

Improve inferencing
Enhance ability to understand clues
Increase critical thinking and executive function abilities
Boost deductive reasoning skills
Improve ability to draw conclusions

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Home » Blog » General » Empowering Student Success: IEP Goals for Nonverbal Communication

Empowering Student Success: IEP Goals for Nonverbal Communication

Welcome to my blog post on empowering student success through Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals for nonverbal communication. In this post, we will explore the importance of nonverbal communication skills, understand the process of setting IEP goals, and provide sample goals for reference. Let’s dive in!

I. Introduction

A. Importance of nonverbal communication skills in student success

Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in our daily interactions. It includes facial expressions, body language, gestures, and eye contact. These skills are essential for building relationships, understanding emotions, and expressing oneself effectively. For students with nonverbal communication difficulties, developing these skills can significantly impact their social and academic success.

B. Overview of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a personalized plan designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. It outlines specific goals, accommodations, and services to support their educational journey. Setting IEP goals for nonverbal communication allows educators and therapists to address the specific challenges faced by students and provide targeted interventions.

C. Purpose of the blog post

The purpose of this blog post is to provide guidance and examples for setting IEP goals related to nonverbal communication. By understanding the importance of these skills and utilizing appropriate strategies, we can empower students to succeed academically and socially.

II. Understanding Nonverbal Communication

A. Definition and types of nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication refers to the use of facial expressions, body language, gestures, and eye contact to convey messages and emotions. It is a powerful form of communication that complements verbal language. Understanding the different types of nonverbal communication helps us interpret social cues and engage in meaningful interactions.

B. Impact of nonverbal communication on social interactions

Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in social interactions. It helps us understand others’ emotions, intentions, and attitudes. For students with nonverbal communication difficulties, challenges in interpreting and expressing nonverbal cues can lead to misunderstandings, social isolation, and difficulties in forming relationships.

C. Challenges faced by students with nonverbal communication difficulties

Students with nonverbal communication difficulties may face challenges in various areas. They may struggle with maintaining eye contact, understanding and using appropriate body language and facial expressions, and comprehending and using gestures effectively. These challenges can impact their ability to navigate social situations and communicate their needs and thoughts.

III. Setting IEP Goals for Nonverbal Communication

A. Collaborating with the student, parents, and educators

Setting IEP goals for nonverbal communication should be a collaborative process involving the student, parents, educators, and therapists. By involving all stakeholders, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the student’s strengths, challenges, and interests, which will inform the goal-setting process.

B. Identifying specific areas of nonverbal communication to target

It is important to identify specific areas of nonverbal communication to target in the IEP goals. This could include improving eye contact, enhancing body language and facial expressions, and increasing understanding and use of gestures. By focusing on specific areas, we can provide targeted interventions and measure progress effectively.

C. Creating measurable and achievable goals

IEP goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By creating goals that are clear and measurable, we can track progress and make adjustments as needed. For example, instead of setting a goal to “improve eye contact,” a more specific goal could be to “maintain eye contact for at least 3 seconds during conversations with peers.”

D. Incorporating the student’s strengths and interests

It is essential to incorporate the student’s strengths and interests when setting IEP goals. By aligning goals with their interests, we can increase motivation and engagement. For example, if a student is interested in sports, we can incorporate activities related to body language and gestures in sports settings.

IV. Sample IEP Goals for Nonverbal Communication

A. Goal 1: Improve eye contact during conversations

1. Strategies to enhance eye contact

Implement visual supports, such as social stories and visual cues, to remind the student to make eye contact. Practice eye contact in structured settings, such as role-playing activities or small group discussions.

2. Measurable objectives and timeline

By the end of the semester, the student will maintain eye contact for at least 3 seconds during conversations with peers in 80% of observed opportunities.

B. Goal 2: Enhance body language and facial expressions

1. Techniques to develop appropriate body language

Provide explicit instruction on body language and facial expressions through modeling and video examples. Practice interpreting and imitating different body language cues in various social scenarios.

By the end of the school year, the student will demonstrate appropriate body language and facial expressions in 90% of observed social interactions across different settings.

C. Goal 3: Increase understanding and use of gestures

1. Activities to promote gesture comprehension

Engage in gesture-based games and activities, such as charades or Simon Says. Use visual supports, such as gesture cue cards, to support understanding and use of gestures.

By the end of the academic year, the student will correctly interpret and use gestures in 80% of observed opportunities during structured activities and social interactions.

V. Strategies for Supporting Nonverbal Communication Skills

A. Utilizing visual supports and aids

Visual supports, such as visual schedules, social stories, and visual cues, can help students with nonverbal communication difficulties understand and navigate social situations. These supports provide visual prompts and reminders to support their communication skills.

B. Implementing social stories and role-playing activities

Social stories and role-playing activities can help students practice and generalize nonverbal communication skills. Social stories provide narratives that explain social situations and appropriate responses, while role-playing activities allow students to practice these skills in a safe and structured environment.

C. Encouraging peer interactions and socialization opportunities

Encouraging peer interactions and providing socialization opportunities allows students to practice and refine their nonverbal communication skills in real-life situations. Collaborative projects, group discussions, and social clubs can provide platforms for students to engage with their peers and develop their social skills.

D. Providing ongoing feedback and reinforcement

Providing ongoing feedback and reinforcement is crucial for supporting students’ progress in nonverbal communication skills. Positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise or rewards, can motivate students and reinforce desired behaviors. Constructive feedback can help students understand areas for improvement and guide their practice.

VI. Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments

A. Regular assessment and data collection

Regular assessment and data collection are essential for monitoring students’ progress in nonverbal communication skills. This can be done through direct observation, checklists, or video recordings. By collecting data, we can track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

B. Collaborative review meetings with the IEP team

Collaborative review meetings with the IEP team, including parents, educators, and therapists, provide an opportunity to discuss progress, challenges, and adjustments to the goals and strategies. These meetings allow for open communication and collaboration to ensure the student’s needs are met effectively.

C. Modifying goals and strategies based on progress

Based on the student’s progress and feedback from the IEP team, goals and strategies may need to be modified. It is important to be flexible and make adjustments as needed to ensure the goals remain relevant and achievable.

VII. Conclusion

A. Recap of the importance of IEP goals for nonverbal communication

Setting IEP goals for nonverbal communication is crucial for supporting students with nonverbal communication difficulties. These goals address specific challenges and provide targeted interventions to empower students to succeed academically and socially.

B. Encouragement for parents and educators to support student success

As parents and educators, we play a vital role in supporting students’ nonverbal communication skills. By implementing strategies, providing ongoing support, and collaborating with the IEP team, we can create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters student success.

C. Invitation to explore further resources and support

If you’re looking for further resources and support in developing nonverbal communication skills, I invite you to start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today. EverydaySpeech offers a wide range of resources, including videos, activities, and lesson plans, to support social-emotional learning and communication skills. Start your free trial here .

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 Key Takeaways Strong social communication skills are crucial for academic success and building meaningful relationships in Grade 12. Social communication includes verbal and non-verbal communication,...

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 As students enter Grade 12, they are on the cusp of adulthood and preparing for the next chapter of their lives. While academic success...

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Special Learning House

Autism resources for exceptional families. Increase communication, learning and fun at home.

January 12, 2021

21+ Activities for a Nonverbal Autistic Child

Finding activities for a nonverbal autistic child can be tricky. This collection of autism activities will help you build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and more. Make sure you check out my Autism Workbooks as well if you are looking for printable autism activities.

21+ Activities for Nonverbal Autistic Children

Table of Contents

What does it mean to be “nonverbal”?

When we refer to a child as “nonverbal” it means that he or she is not using verbal language to communicate. It is really important to remember that this doesn’t mean that the child is not communicating. A lot of our communication is nonverbal.

21 Activities for a Nonverbal Autistic Child

Autism workbooks.

My collection of Autism Workbooks contain over 50 autism activities that I personally designed based on my 18+ year of experience working with children on the autism spectrum as a therapist and autism center owner. The activities in the Autism Workbooks are perfect for building communication, fine motor, sensory play and life skills – all while decreasing difficult behaviors that are getting in the way of learning. (The workbook bundle includes some fabulous social story bonuses as well!)

Communication Building Activities

Sign language for autism.

Adapted sign language can be an amazing tool for teaching a nonverbal autistic child to communicate.

Looking for more autism activities for non verbal learners? Get your copy of the Autism Activities Workbook Bundle here and never run out of activity ideas!

Montessori Learning Trays

I love using Montessori Learning Trays to teach new skills. They are a fun and engaging way to build new skills.

Experience Books

Experience are a great tool for processing different types of activity. Use them to build expressive and receptive language skills.

Related : How to Teach an Autistic Child to Speak

Sensory Activities

Sensory boxes.

I love sensory boxes and so do my little learners! May yours do too?

Some of my favorites?

Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin
Fall Sensory Bins
Spring Sensory Box
Halloween Sensory Box

Light Table Activities

If you don’t have a sensory table yet, I highly suggest you get one (or make your own ). You can use a sensory table to work on teaching new vocabulary words, building receptive language skills, taking turns and more. They are so much fun!

Sensory Break Cards

Incorporating sensory breaks into the day with a nonverbal child, can be essential. Keep frustration at bay while also increasing movement, with fun sensory breaks throughout the day.

Quiet Books

Quiet Books are a fabulous tool for learning new skills and incorporating simple and calm play activities into your child to students’ day.

Zoo Playdough Mats

Use the zoo play dough mats to work on the names of the animals, process sensory experiences (by manipulating play dough) and more.

Fine Motor Activities

Autism worksheets.

This collection of worksheets will help you teach numbers, writing and more.

Pail and Clothespins Autism Activity

This simple activity calls for a simple pail and clothespins to build fine motor skills in a simple way.

Easy Origami for Kids

Folding origami can be a great way to build your little learner’s fine motor strength and precision.

Pointing Book

Use a DIY pointing book to teach your child or students to point, while also building fine motor skills simultaneously.

Cotton Balls and Clothespins Autism Activity

Use this simple cotton balls and clothespins activity to build your child or students’ fine motor skills.

Social Skills Activities

Social skills to teach kids with autism.

Use this list of 62 social skills to teach to build your little one’s social skills, step by step.

Free Printables

Fish bowl play dough mat.

This is one of the most popular printable activities on this blog! Teach your child to make a fish out of play dough and say “fish”, “fish bowl” and “play dough”.

Winter Play Dough Mats

This collection of free printable Winter play dough mats is perfect for an autistic learner who is nonverbal.

Dinosaur Play Dough Mats

Dinosaur play dough mats are a fun and easy way to build new skills as well. Create an entire dinosaur unit or add these free printables to your existing activity plan.

Fish Matching Game

Matching skills are an important prerequisite to learning verbal communication. Add some simple matching activities into your home, classroom or therapy programs with my fish matching games.

For more printable autism activities, check out my Autism Activities Workbook Bundle!

Indoor Autism Activities

My favorite indoor autism activities to get you through a long Winter!

Outdoor Activities for Autistic Child

Similarly, these are my favorite outdoor autism activities!

Books About Colors
Best Board Books
Autism Books

Movement Activities

Yoga videos for kids.

Easy kids yoga is a great activity for incorporating movement activities into your every day schedule with an autism child.

More Autism Learning Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!

Activities for a Nonverbal Autistic Child

Choose one or two of the autism activities for nonverbal learners to try or use them all!

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Adapting for Autism | Work Tasks for your Special Education Classroom

Autism Resources & Ideas

The Best Classroom Activities for Nonverbal (Nonspeaking) Autistic Students

Share for your fellow special educators!

Are you looking for activities to help teach nonverbal or nonspeaking autistic students in your classroom? If so, you are in the right place!

Let me tell you a little secret:

As a special educator I ALWAYS presumed competence in my students and I hope you do the same.

Want to know something interesting?

If you as the teacher think that a student cannot do something, then they most likely will not be able to.

However, when I approached all learning opportunities as just that-an opportunity for growth and learning, then that is what typically happened. It was pretty cool and eye opening.

Basically what I’m trying to say is don’t treat students who can’t verbally speak any differently than your other students. You may have to use some different types of resources to communicate but that is okay.

Understanding Nonverbal vs. Nonspeaking Autism

According to Autism Speaks , About 30% of the autism population is born not being able to use oral language to speak.

The term “nonverbal” can mean something different for each and every person. We actually used to use this term a lot when I was still teaching.

According to Merriam Webster , Nonverbal actually means “not involving or using words and lacking or appearing to lack the ability to engage in speech.

Nonspeaking is defined as not involving spoken lines and not speaking or being able to speak.

You must remember that students who we refer to as nonverbal can still understand and respond to language . This is why the term nonspeaking can be somewhat preferred because these children can still understand language and communicate in different ways.

Just because someone does not communicate language through speech doesn’t mean they cannot understand or cannot communicate ideas through words.

Many people still use these words interchangeably, I am simply just giving some facts that I have learned recently.

The Best Classroom Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Autistic Students:

As a former autism classroom teacher who had many nonverbal students, I absolutely get the struggle of figuring out what to teach. I had no district curriculum available for any part of my classroom, so I had to search or create it myself.

Want to know a little trick that I learned as an autism classroom teacher?

Make things the same for students Every. Single. Time.

Once I realized that when I created resources that followed the same pattern while teaching different skills, my students always knew what to do. This way, it didn’t matter if my student was completing an ELA or math work task, they knew EXACTLY what to do every time I put it in front of them because the directions did not change.

This was a HUGE game changer for my students in learning how to work independently on tasks.

Below, I want to leave you with some of my favorite resources that I used in my autism classroom that worked really well with students who were not able to speak but could communicate in other ways.

It’s all about creating an inclusive space where every kid can shine, right? So, let’s dive into some awesome classroom activities that I’ve found super effective.

The Power of Visual Supports

If you work with students with autism, you know the huge power of using visual supports.

For students that cannot communicate through oral language, visual supports are absolutely necessary.

Here are some of my favorite visual supports to use with nonverbal or nonspeaking learners:

Visual Schedules

Visual supports for art class, visual supports for music class, visual supports for pe.

“Visuals are the bridge that connects imagination to understanding, making complex ideas simple and turning dreams into reality.”

Reading Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Students:

⭐️ picture exchange system (pecs) :.

PECS is a fantastic tool that uses picture cards to help students communicate their desires and feelings. It’s also one of the best professional trainings I ever took.

But guess what?

It’s also incredible for teaching reading!

You can create PECS cards with simple words like “cat” or “dog” and gradually introduce more complex words to build the student’s vocabulary/ reading skills.

⭐️ Interactive Storytelling:

Pick a storybook and make it interactive! Use props, gestures and visual cues to help students engage with the story. Encourage them to point to pictures in the book or use AAC devices to express their thoughts about the story.

You can also use adapted books when reading. I liked to use CORE words to help teach about important subjects. These adapted books for teaching students about the community are some of my favorites.

⭐️ Sensory Reading :

Make reading a multisensory experience. Provide textured books or incorporate sensory elements into storytelling. Sensory reading can enhance comprehension by providing additional sensory input.

For instance, if you’re reading a story about the beach, bring in some sand to touch or seashells to explore while you read to help students better understand the story.

⭐️ Picture to Word Matching Activities:

Like I said above, using visuals is HUGE for working with students with autism, especially nonspeaking students. To access reading skills, I found that using lots of visuals and matching activities were extremely helpful to see if students were able to decode words. For this activity, they would have to decode the word and find the corresponding picture that matches the word at the bottom of the file folder.

reading activities for nonverbal nonspeaking autism

Math Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Students:

⭐️ counting with visuals:.

Numbers can be tricky, but visuals make math friendlier.

Use colorful counters, number lines, or even their favorite toys to help them understand counting and basic math concepts.

Use colorful building blocks or LEGO bricks. Ask the students to build towers or structures with a specific number of blocks, like “Build a tower with 5 blocks” or “Make a bridge using 3 blocks.”

This hands-on activity reinforces counting and basic math concepts such as addition and subtraction.

⭐️ Matching File Folders :

If you have students who can’t orally tell you the answer and maybe struggle with fine motor skills, completing some matching file folder activities like these counting file folders can be a great idea. I would use these an assessment tool to see where students were with their counting at the beginning of the year and throughout the year to collect data.

The only downfall to matching activities is that students can guess the answer and still get it correct. The big positive to using file folder activities like this is their ability to complete the work independently.

$math activities for nonverbal students$

Writing Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Students:

⭐️ aac writing apps:.

There are some fantastic apps designed to support AAC users in developing writing skills. They can type or select words and sentences to create stories or communicate their thoughts in writing. AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. Basically it just means another form of communicating besides verbally speaking.

When choosing an AAC app for writing, it’s essential to consider the individual needs and preferences of the user, as well as the level of support required. Many of these apps offer free trials or lite versions, allowing you to explore their features and determine which one best meets the specific needs of your students.

Here are some AAC Writing Apps you could try:

➡️ Proloquo2Go :

This comprehensive AAC app offers a text-based communication system with a wide range of customizable features. It allows users to construct sentences and paragraphs using symbols or text. Proloquo2Go also includes a robust vocabulary and grammar support.

➡️ TouchChat :

TouchChat is a versatile AAC app that includes both symbol-based and text-based communication options. It provides word prediction and abbreviation-expansion features, making it easier for users to write sentences and messages efficiently.

➡️ Snap + Core First:

Created by Tobii Dynavox, this AAC app offers a versatile platform for communication, including text-based messages and writing support. It has a user-friendly interface and a wide range of vocabulary and symbol options.

➡️ LAMP Words for Life:

LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) is an AAC app that emphasizes motor planning and language development. It can be adapted for writing by creating custom grids or using the built-in text-based communication feature.

➡️ SpeakBook:

While primarily designed for storytelling and social interaction, SpeakBook can also be used for writing activities. It enables users to create stories, captions, and sentences using text and symbols.

⭐️ Cut and Paste Writing Activities :

Cut and paste worksheets are particularly helpful for teaching the sequencing part of writing. I like to use these cut and sequence worksheets . Then, if students are able to-they can use the sequencing steps to create a short sentence or paragraph using the picture prompts, depending on their writing goals.

Social Skills Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Students:

⭐️ visual social stories:.

Use visual social stories that depict various social situations and appropriate responses. These stories can serve as a valuable resource for teaching social cues and expected behaviors.

A social story is usually written in first person (as if it’s from the student’s perspective). It is a simple narrative that answers questions about a problem that the student may encounter and how to deal with them. It helps autistic students understand social norms and learn how to communicate with others effectively.

For example, if a student hates loud noises and a fire drill is coming up that week-you may read them a social story about what will happen during the fire drill and what to do when the alarm goes off to ease their mind a bit.

Adapted 4 Special Ed has some great choices for social stories that you can find HERE.

⭐️ Group Games:

Engage students in group games or activities that require cooperation and interaction. Games like “Simon Says,” or board games such as Candy Land can be incredibly effective in promoting social skills and engagement such as following directions or turn-taking for students who are nonverbal.

⭐️ I Feel I Need Visual Choice Board :

While this visual was designed for students with autism, it can be beneficial for any struggling students. Even verbal students can have trouble retrieving the words or articulating what they need can benefit from using this.

Providing students with this simple file folder visual support can allow them to express their needs in a simple way by using pictures to help show what they need or how they are feeling in certain situations.

social skills activities for nonverbal autism

Best Activities for Nonverbal or Nonspeaking Autism

Remember, every nonverbal or nonspeaking student is unique, so it’s essential to tailor these activities to their specific needs and preferences. Stay flexible, be patient and celebrate every small step of progress along the way! I hope you found some of these ideas helpful! Please let me know below which ones you will try!

← 3 Things To Do the First Week of School: Autism Classroom
7 File Folder Hacks for your Autism Classroom →

3 Easy Ways to Teach 1:1 Correspondence

25 Examples of Errorless Learning Activities

Visual perceptual skills are important for early learning. Grab free visual discrimination games for work tasks in your special education classroom.

Visual Perceptual Skill Games

Yes No Questions BOOM CARDS™ Speech Activities for Nonverbal Students

Internet Activities

What educators are saying

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Description

These activities use real photos and are great for Autism, Special Ed, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, ESL. They are very helpful particularly for echolalic students who will usually answer the question with 'yes or no'. This gives them a very good prompt to answer either yes or no.

Click here for Printable Yes No Questions Worksheets.

The cards were created on the Boom Learning℠ platform. They’re easy for young students to use and very versatile - they can be played on any tablet, computer, Chromebook, or laptop!

Why use BOOM Cards?

* They are no prep and no print.

* They work on iPads, computers, laptops.

* Kids stay engaged with interactive activities.

* They provide more practice in a fun way.

What do you need in order to use Boom?

- A computer, laptop or tablet.

- An internet browser.

- An internet connection that students can use on a computer, tablet, or interactive whiteboard to access the games.

How do I download or access these materials?

When you purchase this resource, you’ll receive a PDF download. Inside the PDF you will find directions and a link to click.

You’ll click the link to add each deck to your Boom library (if you do not already have an account, you will be prompted to set up a free one when you click the link).

What are BOOM Cards?

Boom Cards live in the cloud. They can't be printed. They play on most modern browsers, Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. You open a Boom Learning account to play them (to protect the children). Create Fast Play pins to assign your Boom Cards to students.

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2. singing songs, 3. animal sounds, 4. name that item, 5. bubble blowing, 6. stacking blocks, 7. puzzle solving, 8. feather blow, 9. hide and seek with objects, 10. matching games.

Is your toddler babbling a storm but not quite forming words yet? There’s a lot you can do to help your toddler develop their speech skills in fun and playful ways. This blog post explores engaging speech therapy activities for toddlers that you can do at home!

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

If you are looking for some screen time that doubles as speech therapy, SplashLearn is a one of the best speech therapy activities for toddlers online. Tailored for toddlers, SplashLearn uses interactive games , songs , and stories to introduce new vocabulary, practice letter sounds , and build basic grammar skills. Plus, the engaging characters and colorful graphics keep little ones entertained while they learn. It’s a win-win for parents and toddlers!

Objective: Improve language through rhythm and repetition.

Music is one of the most fun speech therapy ideas. Choose simple songs that feature repetitive phrases and easy melodies. Sing along with your toddler, encouraging them to join in. Repetition of these catchy tunes helps reinforce language patterns and boosts memory.

Objective: Develop vocal skills through playful sound imitation.

Animal sounds are not just fun; they’re educational. This game is a hit in toddler speech therapy games, where mimicking animals’ noises—like a cow’s “moo” or a cat’s “meow”—helps toddlers practice different vocal pitches and sounds. Engage with your child by taking turns to guess the animal.

Objective: Expand vocabulary.

‘Name That Item’ is a straightforward yet powerful speech therapy activity for three-year-olds . Gather various everyday objects and place them in front of your toddler one at a time. Ask them to name each object. This not only builds their vocabulary but also enhances object recognition skills. It’s a simple and effective way to help them connect words with their corresponding objects, fostering cognitive and language development.

Objective: Stimulate motor skills and sound production.

They learn to control their breath as they blow bubbles, which is crucial for speech clarity. Encourage them to pop the bubbles while saying “pop” or asking for “more.” This activity supports motor skills through blowing and popping and introduces new sounds and words, making it a favorite among speech games.

Objective: Foster language through structured play.

Stacking blocks is a dynamic part of speech and language therapy. As you and your toddler build towers or create designs, narrate each action. Say things like, “Now I’m adding a blue block on top!” Encourage your child to make specific requests, such as asking for a certain color or size. This interaction helps them learn to use language to express their needs and desires while they play.

Objective: Enhance spatial reasoning and descriptive language.

Puzzles are a fantastic tool for developing both language and cognitive skills. Sit with your toddler and tackle a simple puzzle together. Discuss each piece, describing its colors and shapes, and discuss where it might fit on the board. This practice improves their spatial reasoning and enriches their descriptive vocabulary, making it one of the best speech therapy games.

Objective: Improve breath control, which is vital for speech production.

Feather blowing is an excellent toddler speech therapy exercise focusing on breath control, an essential aspect of speech clarity. Have your toddler try to blow a feather across a table or the floor, using only their breath. Guide them to take deep breaths and control the exhale. This activity is fun and teaches them how to regulate their breath, which is crucial for speaking clearly and confidently.

Objective: Build prepositional and spatial language.

Turn learning into an adventure with a game of hide-and-seek using your toddler’s favorite toys. Hide objects around the room and describe their locations using prepositions like “under,” “behind,” or “next to.” This 2-year-old speech therapy activity encourages toddlers to understand and use spatial terms, enhancing their grasp of language and environment.

Objective: Develop cognitive and language skills.

Matching games are excellent activities for improving speech and overall cognitive abilities. Use cards with images of common items or various objects. As you play, discuss the attributes of each item, such as their colors, shapes, and sizes. Encouraging your toddler to articulate these features enhances their vocabulary and helps them connect words and meanings.

11. Follow the Leader

Objective: Encourage imitation of actions and sounds.

“Follow the Leader” is a playful and interactive way to develop communication skills. Perform simple actions or make sounds and have your toddler mimic you. This activity makes learning fun and improves their ability to listen and replicate sounds, which is crucial in early speech development.

12. Interactive Storytelling

Objective: Engage multiple senses for comprehensive language learning.

Storytelling is an engaging way to develop language skills. Make it interactive by using different voices for characters, adding facial expressions, and incorporating hand gestures. Ask your toddler to guess what happens next or mimic the characters’ actions or sounds. This immersive approach stimulates their imagination and encourages them to use language in varied and creative ways.

13. Simple Commands

Objective: Practice comprehension and execution of verbal instructions.

Integrating simple commands into daily routines is a straightforward way to enhance your toddler’s understanding and responsiveness. Commands like “Please bring me the ball” or “Can you touch your nose?” help toddlers associate actions with words, fostering comprehension and verbal skills.

14. Rhythm and Rhyme

Objective: Improve phonemic awareness and verbal memory.

Engage your toddler with simple rhyming games or rhythm clapping. These activities are not just entertaining—they are also powerful tools in speech therapy. They help toddlers recognize sound patterns, essential for developing reading and speech abilities. The repetitive nature of rhymes enhances memory, making this a fun and effective learning tool.

15. Mystery Bag

Objective: Enhance sensory vocabulary and descriptive skills.

The “Mystery Bag” is a simple yet effective tool in our toolkit of speech therapy activities for toddlers at home. Fill a soft, opaque bag with various small, safe household items. Have your toddler reach in and pick one item without looking. Encourage them to feel, squeeze, and manipulate the item and describe it using words like “smooth,” “bumpy,” “cool,” or “flexible.”

5 Benefits of Speech Therapy Activities for Toddlers

Speech therapy activities for toddlers offer numerous benefits that are crucial for early childhood development:

These activities help toddlers learn new words, improve their pronunciation, and form complete sentences, facilitating better communication at a young age.
Engaging in speech therapy activities stimulates thinking, problem-solving, and memory. Toddlers learn to follow instructions, identify objects, and match their attributes, which boosts their overall cognitive abilities.
As toddlers learn to express themselves more clearly, they gain confidence in social settings. Participating in group activities and games enhances their social interaction and turn-taking skills.
Through interactive and repetitive exercises, toddlers improve their ability to listen carefully and understand spoken instructions and stories, vital skills for academic success.
Speech therapy activities are designed to be fun and engaging, making learning a positive and enjoyable experience. This encourages toddlers to love learning and participating in educational activities.

Incorporating speech therapy activities into your toddler’s daily routine can significantly enhance their communication and cognitive skills in a fun and engaging way. By fostering these skills early on, you’ll provide your child with a strong foundation for successful learning and interaction in their future years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are nonverbal communication games for kids.

Nonverbal communication games for kids include activities like charades , where children guess the word or phrase acted out without speaking, and emotion cards, where kids identify and mimic emotions displayed on cards. These games enhance understanding of body language and facial expressions.

How can I help my toddler with speech sounds?

To help your toddler with speech sounds, engage in activities like mimicking animal noises, reading books aloud emphasizing certain sounds, and singing songs that focus on repetitive phonetics. These playful interactions promote accurate articulation and sound recognition.

What are gesture games for speech?

Gesture games for speech involve activities where children use hand movements to communicate ideas or words. Games like “Simon Says” or creating a story using only gestures help children associate actions with words and improve their ability to express themselves without verbal cues.

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20 Super Fun Games for a Nonverbal Autistic Child

Using games with a nonverbal autistic child is a great way to support them to thrive. Pairing fun and interest with learning is an effective teaching strategy. Additionally, non-speaking children benefit when parents and support people encourage connection and emotional safety over compliance. One way to do this is through games and other fun activities. So, today, let’s dive into different activities and games for the nonverbal autistic child in your life.

20 activities and games for a nonverbal autistic child, 3. build puzzles, 4. build with blocks, 6. hide and seek, 7. physical play and motor skills, 10. trampoline time, 11. painting, 13. pretend play, 14. play house, 15. sorting games, 16. board games for nonverbal autistic child, 18. educational apps, 19. minecraft, 20. drawing, recap: games for nonverbal autistic child, nonspeaking not nonverbal.

While many people say “nonverbal children” when referring to kids who don’t speak, this is not accurate.

The term nonverbal indicates a child is without language. However, most young children who don’t speak do understand and can use language. (This is why we must give them the tools to do so such as AAC Alternative and Augmentative Communication.)

By understanding that communication skills are multi-faceted, we can better support and connect with young children who don’t speak, have communication disorders, or live with selective mutism . Let’s presume competence.

The following list contains 20 fun activities and games for nonverbal children.

Spot It ADHD Brain Game Version. five spot-it game cards on a table top.

A game of Spot It is easy to play with a child who doesn’t speak aloud. Simply take turns pointing to the matching picture on the Spot It cards.

Encourage receptive language by repeating a carrier phrase for each play of the cards. For example, pointing to a red bird on a Spot-It card.

There is a red bird.

Expand language while creating connection and safety in your relationship. Creating these emotionally calm moments with your autistic child helps you both develop stronger pathways of regulation between the two of you. Your autistic child must feel safe with you if they’re ever going to be able to take direction from you.

Why Safety is Essential for the Brain

For more on the brain and its impact on emotional regulation, learning, and behavior, watch this quick video tutorial.

2. Matching Games

Using card games, especially those designed as matching games are a fun way to increase any number of different skills.

For example, you can work on Math Skills (Using Shapes as an Example).

Use flashcards of a number of different shapes.
Lay them face down on the table.
Take turns turning over a card and finding its matching shape.

Again, use a carrier phrase to reinforce receptive language skills.

“I turned over a _____. Now I turn over a _______. I got a match/I didn’t get a match.”

Use any area of your child’s interest to encourage learning in any area. For example, if your student likes Peppa Pig, use a Peppa Pig memory game.

Losing is Hard for Neurodivergent Kids for a Reason

Autistic and other neurodivergent children live in a world designed in opposition to who they are.

This means that they’re constantly set up for failure which can make “losing” even harder for them.

Provide them with an internal narrative that tells them that losing is okay and to be expected. Do this by modeling an emotionally affirming internal dialogue.

For example, if you don’t turn over a matching pair, say something like,

“Oh well. I didn’t get a match this time. I’ll try again next time.”

And then repeat, repeat, repeat.

Autistic kids, like neurotypical children, often love putting together puzzles . In fact, in our homeschool, we use puzzles for just about all of my son’s special interests.

Using puzzles is a great way to reinforce any areas of learning while working on visual-spatial skills, problem-solving skills, team-building, and turn-taking. (Hint… do the puzzle with your child if they’d like your company.)

Gestalt Language Processing: Natural Language Acquisition and Your Child

games for nonverbal autistic child close-up of little girl playing on floor with multiple rainbow-colored blacks

Building with blocks is a great way to increase hand-eye coordination in kids who struggle with coordination. Use blocks to model verbal language specific to:

prepositions (in, on, above, below, etc.)
colors, and more.

For example, “I put a block on top of the tower.” These solar-system-themed blocks are stunning and great for visual learners.

30+ Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Space & Astronomy (2023)

Any activity that involves building and creating is a winner for so many reasons. Legos are a perfect side-by-side activity for non-speaking and neurotypical children. Build up fine motor and problem-solving skills, visual-spatial awareness, and more.

Hide and seek is such a fun way to have fun without the need to speak using oral language. From the first time we play peek-a-boo with a child, we engage in this silly game of hide and seek.

One of the best things about the hide-and-seek game is the laughter and relationship building through connection. There’s nothing more important than to be sought after and found. Just like neurotypical children, nonspeaking children enjoy the social interaction of hide-and-seek.

Speech Delay and Autism: What’s the Connection?

Physical play is essential to any child’s development . From infancy, movement matters. Tummy time alone supports core and neck strength that are foundational to all later motor skill development .

Surprisingly, tummy time doesn’t just set the stage for sitting, crawling, and walking. It is critical to later develop fine motor skills such as speaking and handwriting. Additionally, it’s well-known that to get an autism diagnosis, a child will struggle with some areas of difficulty with motor skill development .

Caucasian woman with long brown curly hair wearing a green shirt and jeans. She's holding hands with a little girl who is looking up at her. They're dancing together in a family room. In the background there is a large window with blue curtains.

Some autistic kids may appear clumsy, have a heavy gait, or have challenges throwing a ball, for example.

Fortunately, a private occupational therapist can support your non-speaking autistic child in all things motor skills. However, you don’t have to rely on one hour a week of occupational therapy. There are so many fun activities that can help autistic kids develop their motor skills through play.

Motor Skills in Autism: Why Your Child’s Cerebellum Matters

8. Obstacle Courses

Set up an obstacle course in your living room. Here are some ideas for an obstacle course.

Cushions to jump over,
Chairs to climb over,
Aline of painter’s tape to balance across as a “tight rope”,
Lay a hula hoop on the ground and have your child jump inside 10 times
Have them return by crawling under the kitchen table
Slide across the room using a tummy scooter
Then spin them in the opposite direction 5 times ( Vestibular Input )
Jump into a crash pad at the end

Whether your child or student has higher support needs or not, this type of activity is so much fun. As always, be sure to modify it to meet your child’s needs.

Model and Make It Fun

Model using the obstacle course, offer visual cues with large hand gestures, and narrate what you’re doing.

Remember, nonverbal autistic people very often understand ( receptive language) well. Give your child every opportunity to hear spoken language while they’re happily engaged.

When you use language in a playful and fun activity, kids are better able to make sense of new concepts and directions. Be sure to engage your child in the process and participate with them. Make it fun and low-pressure. Read your child’s nonverbal cues and follow their lead.

9. Sensory Play

games for nonverbal autistic child close up of child playing with green, red, and blue clay

Most young kids (and many adults) love to make Play-Doh creations. Play-Doh, clay , and kinetic sand are excellent sensory tools to support your child’s fine motor skills .

At the same time, it provides needed sensory information to the brain. Specifically, sensory activities like these provide proprioceptive input to the small joints and muscles of the fingers, wrists, and arms.

Further, nonverbal kids (nonspeaking) can use play-doh to learn:

(For example, check out this ocean playdough )

Proprioception is Calming

Proprioceptive sensory input is calming to the brain and body by releasing calming neurotransmitters like serotonin. Allowing your child to play freely with Play-Doh or clay (without directing them) is a great activity to support emotional regulation skills for later use.

A wonderful benefit of sensory experiences such as this is that most children enjoy sensory play. That means sensory play is a great way to teach non-autistic children to learn Autistic social skills and how to be inclusive in social situations.

Try the best no-cook playdough recipe you can make with (or without!) a stand mixer!

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Trampolines are versatile tools to provide autistic children of all ages with physical exercise opportunities that support sensory integration. Jumping on a trampoline provides both proprioceptive and vestibular sensory input to help calm the brain and body while at the same time increasing attention span .

The more autistic children jump, the more they develop greater spatial awareness of where their body is in space. Further, the benefits of jumping on a trampoline are numerous.

Benefits of Jumping on a Trampoline

cardiovascular health,
increased overall muscle tone,
core strength
elevated mood,
increased attention span

Learning to Read While on a Trampoline

If you’re homeschooling your non-verbal autistic child, try this:

This supports your child in learning to read.
While your child is jumping, sing nursery rhymes
Or read them their favorite rhyming storybooks

Nonverbal autism does not mean nonliterate. As long as teachers and parents allow kids to learn based on who they are, autistic kids can thrive as readers.

Autism Trampoline Therapy: Is It a Real Thing?

Painting is a great way to allow any child to express themselves without the spoken word. Non-verbal children, like many minority groups of people, have a unique perspective to share with the world.

Spread the buffet of different types of creativity tools for your child and them an opportunity to express themselves through art.

When working with nonverbal individuals who are older, consider more sophisticated tools such as acrylic paints. For younger children, be sure to choose some form of washable paint.

Kick up the sensory profile of the art by allowing your sensory-seeking student to dip their hands in finger paint and use those handprints to create how they see fit. Be sure to have smocks, baby wipes, and a large trashcan nearby for easy clean-up.

12. Make a Sensory Bottle

Autistic children, like non-autistic children, all have different sensory needs. Again, living in a world designed in opposition to how you’ve been designed is incredibly stressful for autistic and other neurodivergent children.

They’re often pressured to act like non-autistic people when they are wired to think and process the world differently. As such, autistic children, teens, and adults often suffer from severe mental health distress.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our non-speaking autistic children is as many emotional regulation tools as possible from as young an age as possible. If your autistic child enjoys calming visual input, try creating a sensory jar or bottle with them.

Directions for Basic Sensory Jar

Pink, orange, green, and yellow sensory beads.

Here’s a simple sensory bottle to get you and your nonverbal autistic student started.

Clear empty plastic water bottle
Vegetable oil
Food Coloring
Sensory beads

Instructions:

Pour water into the bottle to the halfway point
Then fill the rest of the bottle with vegetable oil
Add a few drops of your child’s favorite color
Have them put the top on and flip it over
Add more colors to their preference
Shake and watch it settle

For more emotional regulation activities for kids , check out 47 ideas here.

47 Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids Every Mom Needs!

Use pretend for everything, but especially for language development. Despite rumors to the contrary, autistic kids, whether non-speaking or not, are just as capable of pretend play as neurotypical kids.

In fact, some of the most imaginative people out there are autistic (think Hollywood, the theater, writers, etc). Participate in activities led by your nonverbal students.

Don’t try to control everything. Instead, let your kids take the lead and allow them to tell you who they are.

Parents, speech therapists, and teachers (even those with special education degrees) often make learning hard on students when we try to control everything. Discovery-based play is powerful.

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Use small toys and dolls (that your student chooses) in imaginative play. Use a kind and gentle voice modeling compassion and acceptance among the dolls.

Because people without autism struggle to understand autistic social rules, as a parent or educator it’s important to learn autistic social skills. For example, autistic social skills do not rely on eye contact.

Follow the child’s cues and do not try to control the situation. You’ll learn much about your nonspeaking autistic student when you slow down and “listen” to their forms of communication.

Yellow, blue, green, red, and purple miniature dinosaurs in a bowl with childrens tweezers next to it. There are multiple colored dishes surrounding the main dinosaur bowl each filled with its respective colored dinosaurs. Blue dinosaurs in the blue bowl, green dinosaurs in a green bowl, yellow dinosaurs in a yellow bowl, and orange dinosaurs in an orange bowl.

Sorting games are a great way to support nonverbal autistic children in developing organizational skills. When I say organization skills, I’m not referring to organizing Marie Kondo style.

Specifically, sorting and organizing toys by shapes, colors, and functions supports growing executive function skills . Additionally, it lays the foundation for later problem-solving skills that will be necessary for life.

As an added bonus, positional play is related to visual-spatial development. Further, autistic kids, are often subjected to stressful situations creating lots of anxiety. Sorting games can be a calming and regulating activity for many neurodivergent children (and adults).

Anger Management for Autistic Children (Not ABA)

activities for nonverbal autistic child showing a collection of board games

Every speech therapist knows the value of incorporating board games into their speech therapy time. Using a child’s favorite board game is a great option to support fun, play, relationship, language, and cognitive skills.

Of course, every child will have their own needs, but here are a few board game ideas.

fine motor skills
color identification
turn-taking
“I picked up the blue acorn.”
“You chose the green acorn.”
Gross motor skill development
Following directions
Auditory processing
Adding animal noises in a fun way can lead to vocalization (if they so choose)
Problem-solving
Overall brain-building skills
Depending on your child’s age and ability, you can choose challenges based on difficulty level.

Check out this list of 59 Best Educational Board Games for Kids. (I discovered many of these through Speech Therapist friends and colleagues.)

59 Best Fun & Educational Board Games for Kids 2024

17. Sign Language Games

American Sign Language is a wonderful language for anyone, but especially non-speaking autistic students. In fact, where many parents and educators mistakenly believe teaching a child sign language will slow their language development, the opposite is true.

Learn some basic signs with your child and if they enjoy it, make learning sign language a fun game. Additionally, tools that use signs and picture cards can further support the acquisition of language.

As always, follow your student’s lead and make signing fun and engaging. Alternative ways to teach this amazing communication skill are by using music and movement to reinforce learning.

Sign Language Video Through Music & Movement

Fortunately, there are many interactive educational apps available for kids of all different needs. Some of the best apps for my 9-year-old son have been those recommended by his past speech-language pathologist. Some recommended apps include:

CodeSpark Academy Ki d s
FlipAClip for animation

Another recommended AAC app for those with unique communication styles including selective mutism is Type . (I can see this being an excellent tool to support teaching reading .)

Is Lining Up Toys Autism Related? Does it Matter?

Minecraft is a great video game to support your child’s problem-solving, visual-spatial awareness, as well as language, and reading skills .

Drawing is an excellent activity for autistic children for so many reasons. The benefits include:

Fine motor skill development
Emotional and self-regulation support
Inexpensive

If your child needs extra drawing ideas, check out these guided winter drawing prompts .

Language Skills are Multi-faceted

body language
facial expressions
hand gestures

Nonverbal communication is a valid form of communication. As such, it’s important to encourage nonspeaking young children to grow their communication skills in a safe, encouraging environment. When you support a child’s ability to communicate, you provide them with one of the most empowering life skills.

In the end, autistic children, whether speaking or nonspeaking, enjoy many of the same games and activities as non-autistic kids. I hope this list of games for a nonverbal autistic child has inspired you to follow your child’s lead and have fun together.

So, Friend. Am I missing any of your autistic child’s favorite games and activities? I’m always looking for recommendations to share with other neurodivergent families.

caucasian woman wearing black v-neck long-sleeved shirt sitting crossed legged with a black and white havanese dog in her lap

About the Author:

Lindsay is a trauma-informed educator with a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Her mission is to support moms to equip neurodivergent kids (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety) to thrive as exactly who they’ve been created to be. Wait until you hear the story that led to it all…

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19 Super Fun Activites and Games for Nonverbal autistic kid with two cartoon illustrated children smiling and jumping below

1 thought on “20 Super Fun Games for a Nonverbal Autistic Child”

Hi there I am working with non verbal autistic children I’m not a special needs teacher but I need some ideas of what activities I can do to engage them in doing so how do I get their interest I need your help thanks