05/19/2026
School is almost out ☀️ and as we head into summer, let’s make a goal to increase screen-free play and intentional time together at home. These simple activities support so many important skills, including speech and language development, fine motor skills, social interaction, regulation, attention, and early learning through play and connection.
🎲 Board Games
Go Fish, UNO, Candy Land, memory games, and matching games help build turn-taking, waiting, problem-solving, flexibility, and social communication (commenting, requesting, and responding).
🧁 Baking
Make cookies, cupcakes, pizza, or snack boards together. This naturally supports sequencing, following directions, vocabulary, and fine motor skills like pouring, stirring, scooping, and measuring.
🎨 Arts & Crafts
Painting, coloring, play dough, cutting, gluing, stickers, and chalk art help strengthen fine motor control, visual motor skills, creativity, and expressive language as kids describe what they’re making.
🌿 Nature Walks
Walks, scavenger hunts, collecting leaves/rocks, or picnics support regulation, observation skills, and language development (labeling, describing, commenting, and asking questions).
📚 Reading
Shared book reading builds vocabulary, comprehension, narrative skills, and attention. Try acting out stories, using silly voices, or retelling favorite books together.
🧸 Pretend Play
Play kitchen, costumes, doctor, grocery store, puppets, and dolls support imagination, problem-solving, social language, and functional communication skills like requesting, negotiating, and storytelling.
