Drawing On The Table In Speech Therapy

We always tell our students not to draw on the table, but what if we let them for a special speech therapy activity? I will tell you what will happen, because I have done it before.

The students will love it, have a lot of fun and truly engage in therapy!

Here are three speech therapy activities that you can use while drawing on the table (with a dry erase marker) in therapy.

Tic Tac Toe

Start by drawing a big tic-tac-toe board (or two boards if you have four students) on the table. Then, place task cards on each spot of the tic-tac-toe board. Students have to complete the task before marking an ‘X’ or ‘O’ on that spot. For example, if they are working on their /f/ sound, just place an /f/ picture card in each spot on the board. Have students say the word 5x before placing their ‘X’ or ‘O’. If you have mixed groups, place a few task cards for each goal. For example, place four to five articulation cards and four to five antonyms cards on the board. After each game, replace the cards with new ones and start again!

X Marks The Spot

Give your students different colored dry erase markers. Place task cards, upside down, all over the table. Have students take turns picking up a task card and completing that task. If they complete the task, they keep the card and place an ‘X’ in it’s spot. Continue playing until all cards are gone. The student with the most ‘X’’s on the table wins!

Barrier Games

Place a folder between two students. Have Student A draw a simple picture on the table. Have Student A describe the picture or have Student B ask questions about the picture.  Then, have Student B try to draw the same picture. This task is great for asking and answering questions, following directions, describing and comparing and contrasting.

My students have loved being able to draw on the table and they constantly ask to do it again.

Of course, I make it a point to have a discussion with them about not drawing on tables unless they are doing it in speech with me. I also tell them that we are using special markers, so that it doesn’t ruin the table.

I hope you and your students enjoy these activities!

Have you ever drawn on the table in your speech sessions? Comment below and let me know!

If you are looking for more therapy activity ideas, check out New Ways To Use Old Flash Cards In Therapy