Expressive and Receptive Language Games For Complex Learners

Summer may be a time of rest and reset but between beach trips and BBQs – there’s still time for learning! For Complex Learners, the summer offers a chance to unwind but also has the potential to disrupt their routine and academic progress. To help your child avoid summer learning regression, it’s important to build in some opportunities for learning and skill strengthening. We spoke with Wolf’s SLP, Kristyn Sequeira, for tips on working on expressive and receptive language during the summer months. 

What Is Expressive Language?

Expressive language refers to the “output” of language. It’s the ability to express our needs and wants through verbal and non-verbal language. This includes:

Activities For Expressive Language

Looking for some fun ways to increase your child’s expressive language this summer? 

1. Try playing describing or guessing games like Guess Who or Headbandz where children can take turns asking yes/no questions, ask and answer “Wh” questions like what, where, and when, and work on their vocabulary development while describing people or animals. 

2. Wordless storybooks are a great way to allow your child to be the storyteller and make smart guesses about what might be happening in the story. These types of books encourage vocabulary, sequencing and asking/answering questions. 

3. Arts and crafts are always a favorite go-to for kids of all ages, but also an excellent way to work on sequencing, following and verbalizing directions, and talking about the colors, textures, and functions of materials needed to complete the craft. It’s also a great opportunity to work on verb usage such as “We’re cutting the flower”, or “We’re painting the butterfly.”

4. Feel free to get back to your childhood roots and be a kid! Engaging in imaginative pretend play with your child is not only fun but critical in their development of expressive language, social-emotional skills, and problem-solving. It’s also a great way to help children prepare for realistic life events in a fun and safe way. When playing “grocery store”, your child can sort various items into categories while discussing their attributes or work collaboratively to assign different roles or assignments to the participants. When playing “restaurant”, children can practice being the waiter/waitress and taking orders while working on their pragmatic language skills as well! 

5. The Expanding Expression Tool or the EETCHY bag is a fantastic way to promote your child’s expressive language by playing a game of mystery show and tell. Your child can choose an item in their environment, put it in a bag (EETCHY bag or paper bag), and work on their describing skills. It’s always fun to take turns guessing what’s inside! 

6. During the summertime, who doesn’t love a good hotdog or cheeseburger? Have your child tell you how to make one, and follow their directions verbatim. See how it turns out! 

What Is Receptive Language?

Receptive language is the understanding or comprehension of language. This includes:

Activities for Receptive Language

Looking for some fun ways to increase your child’s receptive language this summer? 

1. Try playing the classic game of Simon Says to work on following multi-step directions, reading body language, and working memory. Take turns being Simon. This one never gets old!

2. Get cozy on a rainy day or go on a picnic, and pick up a good book to read with your child. Did you know that reading with your child 1x a day not only helps them build vocabulary, learn language structure, establish reading and writing skills, and develop critical thinking, but can also reduce stress, increase their attention span, and provide bonding time between you and your child? 

3. While driving in the car, play a game of “I Spy” to help your child develop phonological awareness skills. You might say, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with the sound “/p/”, or “I spy with my little eye a /t/ /r/ /e/ /e/”, and have them blend the sounds to find a tree!

4. Going to the grocery store? Bring your little helper and give them the job of finding different items in the store by providing them with a list. Not only are two hands better than one, but you’re also helping them develop their critical thinking skills, working memory, and executive functions which is a win win for everyone! 

5. Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? You can create one for just about anything under the sun, and enjoy the beautiful weather simultaneously. Provide your child with various clues that work on following directions, staying with the group if a sibling or friend joins in the fun, and problem-solving skills. Children are always motivated by a summer treat or surprise at the end of the hunt! 

Summer is a great time to target skills while having fun in the sun. Happy playing! 

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