Speech & Language Therapy

Activities to support Children with Selective

Mutism // 5-11 years
 Role Play
A child with selective mutism may be more comfortable with talking in a different
role, such as acting out being a particular character in a book. Provide
opportunities for dressing-up and a role play corner where they can have a quiet,
private space to play, initially with just one other friend.

 Noisy Games/Musical Instruments

Have lessons and games with musical instruments where they can blow a trumpet,
bang a drum etc. This can build confidence in making sounds without having to
use their voice. You could try other ways of making sounds in games, such as
clicking tongues, to enable them to start using their voice without having to talk.
For younger children this could include playing noisy games, or ones where they
must make different noises to take turns in a game or create a group noise/sound.

 Playing with Puppets

The child may be more comfortable talking if they are being the ‘voice’ of another
character using a puppet. They may also be happy to speak from behind a screen if
only the puppet can be seen and people are not looking at them.

 Stories
Once you have built up a relationship with the child you could try discussing their
anxieties using different books. For younger children these could include ‘Fiona
Says…’ (Diana Hendry) or ‘I Don’t Know Why… I Guess I Am Shy’ (Barbara Cain),
and older children might enjoy ‘Lizzie Zipmouth’ by Jacqueline Wilson. Let them
know that other children and adults can feel afraid of speaking at times too and
that you are not going to force them to talk, but that if they ever feel ready to talk
then that is fine too.

 Jigsaws
Provide an opportunity for the child to carry out rewarding non-verbal tasks, such
as completing jigsaws and other puzzles. Praise them for their efforts so that they
know that it is not just verbal tasks that are rewarded.

 Singing, Rhymes and Counting

Sing a song or recite a poem or nursery rhyme together as a whole class. You
could also chant times tables, count together or even read instruction/stories or
pieces of writing aloud together, rather than asking one child to read. This takes

©Copyright Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust July 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Speech & Language Therapy

the pressure off the child to ‘perform’ and they can often join in as it does not put
them on the spot individually.

 Artwork
Encourage the child to use artwork, such as modelling clay and painting to express
themselves without having to use speech.

 Talking about Emotions

Talk with them about a variety of anxiety-provoking situations and how they might
feel and react. Use books such as ‘Feeling Shy’ (Althea Braithwaite), which is a basic
introduction to the social skills required at school and in the playground which
they may find more challenging.

©Copyright Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust July 2020. All Rights Reserved.