5 Fun Activities to Develop Speech and Language Skills at Home 🎭🗣️
Strong communication skills are essential for children, not just for school but for life. Whether they’re preparing for a LAMDA exam, building confidence, or simply improving their speech and language abilities, there are plenty of fun ways to help at home. These activities will enhance clarity, projection, and expression—all while keeping things engaging and playful!
1️⃣ Tongue Twister Challenge 🤪
Practicing tongue twisters improves diction and articulation—key elements in clear speech! Start with simple ones and work your way up.
🔹 Try this:
"Giggle whip, giggle whip, giggle whip, giggle whip, giggle whip"
"Red lorry, yellow lorry."
💡 Make it fun: Set a timer and see how many times they can say it correctly in 30 seconds!
2️⃣ Storytelling with a Twist 📖
Great speakers don’t just speak clearly—they engage their audience! This activity helps develop vocal expression, tone, and pacing.
🔹 How to play:
Pick a familiar story (e.g., Goldilocks and the Three Bears).
Challenge your child to tell it in different styles:
✅ As a news reporter 📰
✅ In a scary horror voice 👻
✅ With a dramatic Shakespearean flair 🎭
This builds confidence and vocal variation, two skills essential for LAMDA exams!
3️⃣ The "One Breath" Game 🌬️
Good breath control is essential for clear, projected speech. This fun challenge helps children develop stronger breath support.
🔹 How to play:
Choose a sentence (e.g., "I love acting because it helps me express myself in exciting ways.").
Challenge them to say the whole sentence in one breath—while staying clear and controlled.
Gradually increase the sentence length as their breath control improves!
4️⃣ Mirror Mimic 🎭
Facial expressions and body language are just as important as voice when it comes to communication. This game makes kids aware of their expressions while speaking.
🔹 How to play:
Stand in front of a mirror and say a simple sentence (e.g., "I can’t believe it!").
Experiment with different expressions:
✅ Surprised 😲
✅ Angry 😡
✅ Excited 🤩
✅ Sarcastic 🙄Record it and watch back—what expressions work best?
This activity helps children convey emotion clearly and naturally—a great skill for both acting and public speaking!
5️⃣ Speak for a Minute! ⏳
A great way to build fluency and confidence is to challenge children to speak on a random topic for one minute.
🔹 How to play:
Write down fun topics (e.g., My Dream Holiday, If I Were a Superhero, The Best Movie Ever).
Pick one at random and set a timer for 60 seconds.
They must speak without stopping—no "ums" or "errs"!
Bonus: Record their speech and listen back for areas to improve!
This builds spontaneity, fluency, and quick thinking, which are essential for LAMDA Speaking in Public exams.
🎭 Why These Activities Matter
Helping your child develop strong speech and language skills at home doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be fun and engaging! These exercises not only help with LAMDA exams, but also prepare them for school presentations, interviews, and everyday communication.
Want even more structured guidance?
Our My LAMDA Tutor sessions help students master communication skills with expert feedback—book a taster lesson today!
