How to Use Nature in Speech Therapy

5 Nature-Themed Speech Therapy Activities to Boost Language Skills

Speech therapy doesn’t have to be confined within four walls! Nature offers a refreshing and engaging setting for learning language and communication skills. Whether you’re an SLP or parent, these 5 nature-inspired activities can bring a fun twist to your sessions.

🔍 Nature Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk and search for natural items. Encourage students to name and describe each item they find.

• 🪵 Builds vocabulary by introducing new words.
• 🎨 Enhances descriptive language with adjectives like “smooth,” “rough,” or “spiky.”
• 🕵️‍♂️ Encourages attention to detail, which supports conversational skills.

🍂 Leaf & Rock Sorting: Collect natural items and sort them by size, shape, and color.

• 🌿 Develops categorization skills by sorting and comparing.
• 🗣️ Teaches descriptive language with phrases like “bigger than” or “darker than.”
• 🧩 Supports problem-solving skills when deciding sorting criteria.

☁️ Storytelling Under the Sky: Use cloud shapes to inspire creative storytelling. Students can write observations in a journal and then share thoughts with the group.

• 📝 Encourages expressive language through descriptive storytelling and speech.
• 🌈 Fosters imagination, curiosity, and critical thinking.
• ✨ Engages creativity; making speech practice fun and interactive.

🐸 Animal Sounds: Mimic animal sounds like chirping birds, buzzing bees, or ribbiting frogs.

• 🐦 Improves articulation by focusing on specific sounds and phonemes.
• 👂 Boosts listening skills by identifying and replicating sounds.
• 💪 Strengthens oral motor skills through playful sound for better speech production.

🏃 Outdoor Obstacle Course: Create a simple obstacle course using sticks, stones, or cones. Give multi-step directions like “Hop over the log, then crawl under the branch.”

• 🧠 Improves receptive language by following multi-step commands.
• ➡️ Develops sequencing skills through step-by-step instructions.
• 🪁 Makes therapy engaging by connecting speech practice to play.

Take It Outside!

Are you ready to take speech therapy outdoors? Nature is a goldmine for speech therapy! Not only does it foster engagement, but it also reduces stress and promotes creativity. Try incorporating these activities into your sessions and watch their skills bloom. Let us know which activity you liked the best.