Building Language Through Outdoor Play

Play is an essential piece to child development. It promotes creativity, social language, problem-solving, and builds new language vocabulary and concepts. Especially in our current world, we encourage more play in the great outdoors. Not only is this a safe choice for your child, but outdoor play engages your child in a variety of new and unique experiences. 

Opportunities to engage your child in language-based outdoor play are endless. Encourage sensory play with your child! This can be great for vocabulary building! Create a water table and talk about the sounds of the splashing water and the feel of the soapy suds between your fingers. Teach them new vocabulary such as, float, splash, sink, wet, spray, drop, scoop, and more! Take your child on a hike and explore the senses within the trees. Discuss the scents of the pine trees, the tactile crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, the movement of the wind through your hair, the changing colors of the leaves and flowers. 

Incorporate receptive language into play by creating an outdoor obstacle course! This will encourage following directions, working memory, and listening skills. Building movement into play is always a fantastic way to learn new concepts and maintain mastered skills. Add in some imaginary play scenarios by turning the obstacle course into a journey through a forbidden forest or a challenge to keep away from the burning lava ground. Have your child work on their expressive language skills by recalling events from the obstacle course, while targeting sequencing of events and narrative formulation. 

Outdoor play is fun and educational! Enjoy this time to get out and explore. For more ideas to encourage language development, talk to your lead therapist today!