SLT BLOG: Physical Activity and Communication Development

TODAY'S SLT BLOG IS FROM BRÍD O' CONNELL

Physical activity plays a role in the overall development of children.

The Connection Between Physical Activity and Communication

1. Enhances Motor Skills: Physical activity improves gross and fine motor skills, which can facilitate better use of gestures and nonverbal communication.

2. Boosts Social Interaction: Group activities encourage children to interact with peers, promoting social skills and verbal expressions.

3. Increases Engagement: Movement-based activities capture children's attention and keep them motivated, making learning more effective.

4. Reduces Anxiety: Physical exercise can lower anxiety levels, creating a more relaxed environment that fosters open communication.

5. Promotes Turn-Taking Skills: Many physical activities require taking turns, which helps children practice essential conversational skills.

Practical Activities to Support Development

1. Obstacle Courses

• Create simple obstacle courses that require children to navigate through various physical challenges. Use verbal instructions to practice following directions and engage in conversation. For example “crawl UNDER the chair”. To work on a concept such as under, you can teach it as a contrast of “on” versus “under”.

2. Ball Games

• Activities like throwing, catching, or kicking a ball can encourage communication. Encourage children to call out what they want to do (“pass the ball” or “kick it”) to promote verbal interaction.

4. Relay Races

• Organise relay races that require team collaboration. Encourage children to announce their turns and cheer on teammates to foster team spirit and communication.

5. Animal Walks

• Incorporate fun "animal walks" (like hopping like a frog or waddling like a penguin) to promote physical activity while using animal names and sounds to enhance vocabulary.

7. Interactive Games

• Play games like Simon Says or Follow the Leader that require listening, responding, and verbal interaction. These games improve both communication and motor skills.