Games to play with target words

The key component of core vocabulary is establishing consistency of production.

This is achieved through multiple repetitions of the target words paired with
effective feedback. The therapy resources consist of games that allow the child to
produce a high number of targets. It is a good idea to print out the “Target Word:
Card Master” on to card and make a set of robust target words.

Here are some game ideas.

Riverwalk Print out 10 copies of the rock master and 2 copies of the
crocodile master. Place the stepping-stones on the floor so
that it forms a path. Place a target word on each of the
stepping-stones. Tell the child that they need to walk across
the crocodile infested river. They can walk on the stepping-
stones but the only way to get on to a stepping-stone is to
say the word on the stone a set number of times (e.g. 5
times). Each time the word has to be said the same way or
they can’t move.

Fishing Print out 5 copies of the fish master. Write or draw a target
word on each fish. Attach a paper clip to each fish. Make a
rod by tying a magnet on the end of a piece of string. To
catch and keep a fish the child must ‘hook’ the fish and then
say it a set number of times (e.g. 5 times). If the child says the
target word the same way 5 times then they keep the fish,
otherwise it gets away and jumps back in to the water.

Board Games Football Frenzy

Snakes and Ladders

Spin Out

Lotto Print out 2 copies of the lotto master. Write or draw the target
words on each card. Cut one page in two (2 lotto cards)
and cut the other set of words in to individual cards. Each
player has a lotto card and the individual cards are shuffled
and placed face down on the table. Each player takes a
turn to select a card and say the target word a set number
of times. If the target word matches one on their board and
was said consistently they get to place the card on their
board. If it does not match a word on their lotto board the
card goes to the bottom of the pile. The first player to fill their
card is the winner.
Reinforcement These are pen and paper activities. The child is asked to say
activities a target word a set number of times (determined by the
clinician and the child) before completing a
drawing/colouring task. If the word is said the same way on
each attempt, the drawing reward is given and the target
word is removed from the game. If the word is said
inconsistently it goes to the bottom of the word pile and the
child has to try again.

Ants: Print ants master. Drawing reward is to draw a face on

ant.

Apples on a tree. Print tree master. Drawing reward is to

draw an apple (or bird/flower etc).

Dinosaur. Print dinosaur master. Drawing reward is to colour a

spike on the dinosaur.

Dice game Version 1. The child rolls a dice to determine how many times
they have to say the word. If the word is said the same way
on each attempt it is removed from the pile. If the word is
said inconsistently it goes back to the pile of words.

Version 2. Print out the target word card master. Write or

draw the target words on to the cards. Write a number on
each card (between 1-6). The child rolls the dice and has to
find the target word with that number and say the word a
set number of times (e.g. 5 times). If the word is said the
same way on each attempt it is removed from the game. If
the word is said inconsistently it remains in the game.

Hide-and-seek Version 1. Print out the hide and seek master pictures to hide
underneath the target word cards. The child can choose
from dinosaurs, fairies, aliens. Ask the child to close their eyes.
Hide the pictures underneath the target word cards so that
half to three quarters of the target words have a picture
underneath. The child chooses a word to say 3 or 5 times. If
the word is said the same way on each attempt the child
gets to look underneath. If the word is said inconsistently the
child des not look under the card and has to try again (not
necessarily straight away).

Version 2. Ask the child to close their eyes. Hide the target
words around the room. The child gets to find one and has to
say the word the number of times the clinician has
requested.
Puzzles Tip a puzzle out. The child needs to say a target word a set
number of times to win a puzzle piece. This can be played
with any puzzle suitable for the child’s age and interest.

Matching Pairs Print out the target word card master. Write or draw the
target words and copy it so there is two of each word. Place
the cards face down on a table or the floor. Take turns
turning over two cards at a time and try to find a matching
pair. Each time a picture is turned over the player has to say
the name of the picture a specified number of times (e.g. 3
or 5 times). The person with the most pairs at the end is the
winner.

Snap You will need 6 copies of the target word card master. Write
or draw the child’s target words (if possible print out the card
master once, write the words and photocopy it to make 6
sets) and cut into individual cards. Divide the cards between
the players. Each player takes a turn to put a card down
and say the word. Remind the players that after they say
snap they need to go through the pile of words saying each
word a set number of times. They get to keep any words that
are said the same way on each attempt. Any word said
inconsistently gets given to the other player.