As a speech therapist, you are likely working on speech sounds! Sometimes drill-based activities are exactly what kids need to master those tricky speech sounds. In this blog, we’ll dive into 10 quick and easy articulation activities that are perfect for keeping your little learners engaged and motivated. And remember, if drill isn’t working, consider mixing things up with a more playful approach—because every child learns differently!
1. High Trial Mats for Articulation Practice
High trial mats are a game-changer when it comes to getting those repetitions in. These mats are usually colorful and have spaces or pictures for kids to practice their target sounds. The idea is simple: each time the child says the target word or sound correctly, they move a token across the mat. It’s a great way to track progress, and the colorful visuals keep kids interested. Plus, it’s easy to increase the number of trials in a short amount of time, which is perfect for reinforcing articulation.
Pro Tip: Set a fun goal for the number of trials they should aim for, like 50 or 100, to keep things exciting! Use my High Trial Sheets that includes 100 sheets and LOADS of target strips to target a HUGE vareity of goals!
2. Using an Abacus for Articulation Drills
An abacus isn’t just for math—it's a super fun and tactile way to track speech progress. Set up an abacus with beads representing each trial. For every correct articulation, the child moves a bead over to the other side. This hands-on approach helps kids feel like they’re accomplishing something, and it adds an element of excitement as they watch their progress unfold in front of them.
Pro Tip: You can even turn it into a race to see how quickly they can move all the beads over—perfect for keeping kids engaged!
3. Sticker Charts for Motivation
Who doesn’t love stickers? Create a simple chart where kids can place a sticker for every correct articulation they make. It’s a super motivating and visual way to track their progress. You can make it even more fun by letting them choose their favorite stickers as rewards or create special incentives for hitting milestones, like mastering a target sound after 10 correct productions.
Pro Tip: Kids are more likely to stay motivated if they get to pick out their own stickers. Let them choose a fun theme, like animals or space, to make the chart extra exciting!
4. Craft Sheets for Speech Sound Fun
Combining crafts with speech sound practice is a great way to keep kids focused while reinforcing speech sounds. Create craft sheets that feature words with your target sound—like a "cat" or "car" for the “k” sound. While they’re busy coloring or cutting, they can say the words out loud. This turns the practice into a creative activity, which helps kids stay engaged and motivated.
Pro Tip: Encourage them to say the target word every time they color or cut out an item related to the sound. This helps reinforce the sound without it feeling like a drill.
My Bundle of Craft Sheets includes a variety of Speech Sound Craft Sheets, like these Apraxia of Speech Sheets!
5. Taking Turns in Games
Turn-taking is a fantastic way to practice articulation in a social, relaxed setting. Whether you're playing a simple game or rolling dice, use each turn as an opportunity to practice a target sound. For example, when it’s the child’s turn to roll the dice, they must first say the target word correctly. This adds a natural break between repetitions and gives kids the chance to practice while having fun.
Pro Tip: Add some excitement by using a visual timer, giving them a set amount of time to say their target words and take their turn before it’s the next person’s go.
Check out my Toy and Game Companions that feature 100+ games and toys to help you add structure to your game play. These are perfect for mixed groups becuase each child can have a sheet that suits their goal.
6. Getting a Toy Piece After Each Production
Kids love earning rewards, and what better reward than a toy piece? For this drill, have a toy puzzle or figurines that they can "earn" after correctly producing a word. For example, after saying "sun," they might earn a puzzle piece that eventually helps them complete a fun picture. This not only reinforces speech sounds but also makes the process feel like a game.
Pro Tip: Introduce a fun theme—like a dinosaur or princess puzzle—to make the reward even more exciting and tailored to the child’s interests.
7. Treasure Hunt for Articulation*
Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Hide objects around the room that contain your target sound and let the child search for them. As they find each item, they need to say the word aloud. It’s a great way to practice speech while getting kids moving and engaged. Plus, the excitement of finding hidden treasures keeps them motivated to keep practicing.
Check out my Speech Sound Scavenger Hunt if you don't want to think of words!
Pro Tip: Add an element of competition by timing how quickly they can find all the objects, or give them extra challenges, like saying the word in a sentence before moving to the next item.
Articulation Worksheets for Targeted Sound Practice
Articulation worksheets are a fun and practical tool for practicing speech sounds in a structured, focused way. These worksheets typically feature words or pictures that target specific sounds, allowing individuals to practice pronouncing those sounds in various positions within words (beginning, middle, and end). Whether it’s practicing “s” sounds in words like “sun” or “bus,” or focusing on tricky consonant blends, these worksheets give learners the chance to repeatedly articulate the sounds they need help with.
Pro Tip: To keep the practice engaging, you can turn it into a game! Set a timer and challenge the child to say as many words as they can with the target sound in one minute. It adds an element of excitement while reinforcing the practice.
9. Building Something and Saying a Word for Each Turn
Kids love to build, whether it's with blocks, Legos, or other construction toys! This drill is simple: for each turn or step they take while building, they need to say a word that targets their sound. For example, if they’re building a tower with blocks, they must say a target word like "cat" for each block they place. This activity not only encourages repetition but also allows for breaks as they build, making it a fun and dynamic way to practice.
Pro Tip: Turn the activity into a fun challenge by setting a goal for how many words they need to say to finish the structure—this adds a sense of accomplishment as they work!
10. Articulation Mats for Structured Practice
Articulation mats are an easy and engaging way to practice sounds in a structured way. These mats typically have pictures or words that feature the target sound in various positions (beginning, middle, end of words). The child can say the word for each picture while placing tokens, play dough, coins, min objects, or buttons on the corresponding pictures as they correctly produce the sounds. This helps increase the number of repetitions they’re getting, and the mats provide a clear visual of their progress.
Check out my Smash Mats that also include sound loaded scenes for each sound! Ten targets per sound and position! Print and go and simplify your therapy today!
Conclusion
Drill-based activities can be a powerful way to help preschoolers improve their articulation skills, but remember, not every child will respond to drills in the same way. If a drill-based approach isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try a more play-based method. The key is finding what works best for each child—and often, combining both play and drill is the way to go.
For more tips on mixing play with drills, be sure to check out the **Power of Play and Drill** course, hosted by Anna Dalziel and Amy Graham. It's perfect for SLPs who want to get loads of trials in therapy, whether you prefer a play or drill-based approach. If you're struggling to come up with engaging therapy sessions or just need fresh ideas for targeting speech sound disorders through play OR drill - this course is for you. It’s especially helpful if you're unsure how to use play effectively in speech sound therapy or are finding it tough to keep your kids engaged in sessions. You'll also learn when and how to incorporate both play and drill in speech sound therapy, and how to include evidence-based practices for treating speech sound disorders within fun, interactive activities.
Whether you're a new or experienced SLP, you'll find practical ways to keep your kids engaged while treating speech sound disorders. Plus, you'll learn how to combine the best of both worlds for maximum success in your therapy sessions!
