We all know that kids LOVE bubbles! Adding them into any activity is guaranteed to up the engagement and excitement. Here are 10 ways to target speech & language skills while playing with bubbles, from a pediatric speech-language pathologist!
10 Ways to Use Bubbles to Boost Speech & Language Skills
Pointing: Children typically start to point with an isolated index finger between 9 and 14 months of age. Help support this gesture development by popping bubbles!
/B/ & /P/ sounds: Practice early developing consonant sounds like B and P by facing your child (so they can see your mouth!) and exaggerating Bubble! and POP! Encourage your child to use these sounds & words on their own by making it a routine: say the same thing every time, and PAUSE to allow your child the chance to fill in! (Example: “Pop… Pop…. Pop…. (pause)….. POP!” “Blow the…(pause)…Bubbles!”)
Requests: Hold onto the bubble container and close after each time you blow bubbles. Show your child it’s closed to encourage them to make a request like, “open,” “more", “bubbles,” etc! Model the words for your child if they are not yet using them; it’s important to avoid telling them, “Say Open!” while withholding. This can result in frustration, anxiety, and your child not wanting to continue the interaction!
Comments: Talk about what you see! “I see bubbles!” “Big Bubbles!” “A lot of bubbles!” Modeling this kind of language can help your child build descriptive language skills, and encourage them to make comments themselves!
Body Parts: Label body parts by blowing bubbles on them! “Bubbles on your…. head!” “Bubbles on your… belly!” If your child SHOWS you the body part they want, label it for them!
Turn Taking: Model phrases like “my turn,” and “your turn,” when blowing the bubbles to practice turn taking!
Following Directions: If your child is able to independently handle bubble materials, practice giving simple directions within your activity. 1-step directions: give to me, open, close / 2-step directions: close & give to me, blow & put in the bottle
Opposites: Introduce opposites like big/small, wet/dry, full/empty when talking about your bubbles and materials! Example: “the bubbles are empty! all gone! lets fill it up!” “those are SMALL bubbles! Let’s blow BIG ones.” “My hands are WET! Let’s dry them off.”
Descriptor Words: Introduce descriptor words like “yuck!” “sticky!” “wet!” “big!” etc. to build vocabulary skills beyond initial functional vocabulary. Say these words emphatically to encourage your little one to imitate! (“Uh oh!” when bubbles spill, very exaggerated!)
Action Words: Talk about what’s happening with the bubbles and materials: Blow, pop, spill, clean up, etc. to work on expanding verb vocabulary!
*Remember: it’s important to model these words naturally, and without expectation. Meaning, it’s best to say these words repeatedly within context rather than demanding your child repeat the word or say the word on command. This will help your child learn the language in a stress-free way!
Here are my favorite non-spill bubbles that are PERFECT for little ones & toddlers who are insistent on independence in their bubble play!
Happy Playing!
Jackie Anderson, MS CCC-SLP
Pediatric SLP
Jackie is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and owner of Ascend Pediatric Therapies. She provides in-home speech therapy for families in Ocean County and Monmouth County, NJ and virtual consultation services for all families.