Why Do I Create Speech and Language Games?
I have always searched for ways to reach children and maintain their attention. I needed a wagonload of materials as their attention spans were generally very short. Many of the materials available did not satisfy the goals and objectives for their target skills and did not engage the children to make learning enjoyable enough to improve their communication skills.
So I started to buy games and materials and adapt them to specific language objectives. I also started to make speech and language games from tablecloths and other household things. Even though these games did not look professional, the children loved playing them. Other speech pathologists would see our interactions and ask to borrow the games. People were constantly saying to me “You should produce these games and sell them, so others have the opportunity to benefit from them.” This was always my dream and after many years I finally decided to hire a graphic artist and advance into the journey of producing my own games.
Naming action verbs and then producing a short sentence with them was always a frequent objective for the children I worked with whom I worked. Drilling with pictures is not always motivating for active children with short attention spans. It’s also not a natural way to interact. So I designed the “Wheel of Action” game. While playing this new game, children are engaged in a social activity that they enjoy and discover how they can use sentences at the same time. They spin the spinner and excitedly act out the action picture.
I watched a group of children play my game in a classroom and observed how animated and excited they were while playing. In addition to learning to produce sentences with a variety of action verbs, they were using lots of spontaneous speech - giving directions and comments to each other. This was a bonus side effect. To my surprise, I later learned that many of these children spoke English as a second language or were very shy and therefore rarely spoke in school. You would never have known it from the way they were playing and talking.
Imagine your child or student’s improvement in producing sentences with the ease of playing a fun new board game!
Your game will be delivered via Priority Mail
Much more fun than drilling with pictures. Kids don't want to stop playing!
Includes an intensive detailed manual for many play/instruction options
The "Wheel of Action" speech therapy game teaches children to:
Learn the names of action verbs
Use pronouns (he/she)
Appropriately apply the past tense of verbs
Use the concepts of before and after
Learn turn-taking skills
Problem solving skills
Use gross and fine motor skills
Enhance memory skills
Reviewer: Colleen Cancelliere Pre-School Inclusion Supervisor
"...I teach students that range from ages 3 to 5. Some children have special needs. This game
was adaptable to accomodate every child's needs. We accomplished turn taking, waiting, social
interaction, making eye contact, staying focused, P.T. goals as well as O.T. goals as we spun
our way into action. After playing this game with me a few times the children took it over and
began to play charades -- Acting out the action and having their friends guess. This enabled imagination
and problem solving. It also enhanced peer acceptance. This game encourages motivation and excitement in
an enjoyable and safe way. I recommend it for each classroom and for speech therapy for all children."
Reviewer: Judy Supnick Special Education Teacher
What a terrific game to elicit language from children and promote interest in verbal interaction! Pantomime, imitation and positive responses are utilized. Many language goals will be reached. This game is both fun and challenging.
Wheel of Action can be played at different levels of difficulty.
Take it with you anywhere. It’s only one piece, so there are no parts to lose. It’s 11x11 inches square, constructed of sturdy plastic and it's wipable, so it’s OK if something spills on it.
Can be used individually noncompetitively, or as a motivating team speech game for as many as ten children (charades).
Perfect to use in Preschool and Day Care settings
- Can be used as a circle time activity or as separate learning activity.
- Can be used to teach English as a Second Language.
- Helps adults who are learning a foreign language. It enhances their vocabulary knowledge of verbs with repetition, the way language is naturally acquired.
- Benefits children who are developmentally delayed