Language Strategies for the Playground

The playground is a fantastic place for children to develop not only their physical skills but also their social and language abilities. Whether they’re learning to take turns, ask to join a game, or express their needs, playground interactions provide valuable opportunities for communication growth. Here are six effective strategies to support language development on the playground:

Model Language

Children learn by watching and listening. Demonstrate how to use simple phrases to interact with peers, such as “Can I play?” or “Let’s take turns!” By modeling appropriate language, you provide children with the words they need to navigate social situations.

Use Visual Supports

Some children benefit from visual cues like picture cards or social stories to understand playground expectations. A simple visual of turn-taking or common playground phrases can help children feel more confident in social interactions.

Encourage Peer Coaching

Pairing children with strong communication skills with those who need extra support promotes natural language learning. Peers can demonstrate how to invite others to play, negotiate rules, and resolve minor conflicts using words.

Expand on What Children Say

When a child makes a short statement, build on it to encourage more language use. If a child says, “Swing,” respond with, “You want to swing high!” This helps develop sentence structure and vocabulary.

Use Gentle Prompts and Reinforcement

If a child struggles to initiate conversations or request turns, provide a verbal or gestural prompt. For example, if they want a turn on the slide, you might say, “You can say, ‘My turn next!’” Praise and encouragement reinforce positive language use.

Offer Choices to Encourage Communication

Providing choices encourages children to use their words to express preferences. Instead of asking a yes/no question, try “Do you want to play on the swings or the slide?” This promotes expressive language while giving children a sense of control.

By incorporating these strategies, caregivers, therapists, and teachers can help make the playground a more language-rich environment. The more opportunities children have to practice communication in a fun and natural setting, the more confident and independent they will become in their interactions.

Looking for more ways to support language development? Contact our therapy team to learn how speech and occupational therapy can help build communication skills in everyday play!

Blog post developed by: Jessica Oakland, PT, DPT