The Power of Play: Why It’s the Most Important Part of Speech Therapy
When you peek into a speech therapy, occupational therapy or play therapy session at Little Birds, you might see bubbles, blocks, or a pretend tea party. But behind the giggles and games, something powerful is happening, your child is learning skills and learning how to communicate.”
I remember sitting in university lectures 15+ years ago and hearing about Hanen, child-led, play based therapy, but didn’t realise the importance of it until entering the working life. Play is not “just fun”, it’s the foundation of how children learn and connect.
Why Play Matters in Development
Play is how children make sense of the world. It helps them explore, build relationships, and develop language naturally. During play, the brain activates many of the same neural pathways involved in communication, memory, and problem-solving. When children build towers, pretend to cook, or play with cars, they’re not only using their imagination but also strengthening the neural networks that support language development and social understanding. Play is one of the foundations of learning, it’s how a child learns to express ideas, practise social roles, and make sense of the world around them (Ginsburg, 2007; Vygotsky, 1978).
What Does Play Look Like in Speech Therapy?
In speech therapy, play becomes the bridge between connection and communication. Clinicians enter the child’s world by following their lead, which is a much more powerful approach than tabletop tasks with repetitive drills. If a child isn’t engaged in the activity, they’re less likely to attend, and we miss out on providing meaningful language models that are critical for learning.
Play gives meaning to interactions. Through natural engagement, speech pathologists can create opportunities for language to emerge naturally and with purpose. Play not only supports language development but also facilitates the development of turn-taking, joint attention, problem-solving, sequencing, social interaction, and much more. By following the child’s lead, we’re not only encouraging communication but also nurturing curiosity, confidence, and emotional safety, which is the true foundation for lifelong learning.
The Benefits of Play-Based Speech Therapy
When therapy feels like play, children are relaxed, motivated, and ready to learn. Here’s how play supports communication and development:
Builds communication skills: Words are learned in real-life moments, not drills. Play provides natural opportunities to practise vocabulary, turn-taking, and sentence building.
Fosters social connection: Through shared joy and interaction, children learn how to wait, respond, and connect with others.
Supports emotional regulation: Pretend play helps children express and manage feelings safely, with gentle guidance from their therapist.
Encourages problem-solving: Play strengthens planning, sequencing, and flexible thinking, which are skills that transfer to learning and everyday life.
At Little Birds, we believe play isn’t a break from learning, it IS LEARNING!
How Parents Can Support Play at Home?
You don’t need fancy toys or structured activities to build your child’s communication, everyday play and routines makes the biggest difference. Try these simple ideas:
Follow your child’s lead: Join in with what interests them instead of directing the play. Connection comes first.
Model language naturally: Comment on what’s happening (“You’re building a tall tower!”) instead of quizzing (“What colour is that?”).
Pause and wait: Give your child space to respond, gesture, or take the next turn.
Encourage imagination: A box can become a rocket; a spoon can be a microphone!
Keep it pressure-free: Celebrate effort, not accuracy. The goal is confidence and joy in communicating.
Remember, the best play moments are the ones filled with laughter, eye contact, and shared attention — that’s when communication is truly meaningful.
Conclusion
When children play, they’re doing far more than having fun, they’re learning to connect, think, and express themselves. That’s why at Little Birds, play isn’t an “extra” part of therapy, it’s the heart of therapy. Through play, we build trust, spark curiosity, and help each child discover their unique voice in a way that feels safe, joyful, and meaningful.
If you’d like to learn more about how play can support your child’s communication journey, our friendly team at Little Birds Allied Health would love to chat. You can find us in Balwyn and Templestowe, where we create playful, purposeful spaces for children to grow, connect, and thrive.
References:
Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent–child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182–191.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.
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