It can be hard to keep older students engaged in speech therapy, especially if they’ve been receiving services for a long time. They’ve outgrown the stickers, and they’ve done all the activities and games in our therapy toolbox. But, they still need consistent practice to make progress. So, how do we keep articulation practice meaningful, age-appropriate, and motivating for our older kids on our caseload? Here are 3 easy ways to motivate your older students for articulation practice!
1. Make it Meaningful
When students have been working on their speech sounds for a while, it’s easy for them to feel bored by “speech”. That’s why it’s important to show them that articulation practice still matters and that it can grow with them.
At this stage, your students may want to feel more confident when reading aloud or answering questions in class and not having to repeat themselves in front of friends. Start by having honest conversations about why their speech goals still matter (if they still do, of course!) and what success might look like for them. When they know that working on their speech sounds may improve their ability to be understood, they might feel more motivated to continue practicing and improving their self-monitoring skills.
Instead of drilling word lists, use activities that feel mature, like conversation starters, mini presentations, or functional tasks (e.g., ordering food, giving directions, telling stories). There are also lots of carryover activities for older students that are fun and engaging! If the students need more structured practice, use activities that are age-appropriate and that don’t look “kiddy”. Which brings me to my next point: make it fun!
2. Make it fun – Gamify it!
I know some speech therapists think that older kids just want to drill drill drill. However, I always give my older students the choice and ask them if they want to play games or if they’d rather just come in, practice their speech sounds and go. They always say they’d prefer to play games! The truth is… they don’t want to play BABY games! They want to play fun, age-appropriate games! They may have had experiences where the games were a bit too “kiddy” for them and they think that the games won’t actually be fun. So, I tell them what types of games we would play in therapy so they know what to expect. It’s also much more motivating for them to practice at home when we send fun games to play while practicing their sounds!
Some of my favorite games to use in therapy with my older kids are Uno, Spot it, Jenga, Connect Four, and Sushi Go.
I’ve also found it tricky to find materials online for older kids so I’ve made my own! I’ve created speech therapy games that are simple, engaging and effective for older students. This resource provides structured and easy-to-use worksheets that are organized by sound position for every step of the articulation hierarchy. They are easy for parents to use at home and will keep students engaged while practicing their speech! You can get the free Initial TH activities here!
3. Show them the finish line
Sometimes students feel like they’ve been working on their speech sounds forever. When they can’t see the overall progress and how close they are to graduating from speech therapy, it’s easy for motivation to drop off. That’s why it’s so important to help older students visualize their progress and see that there is a finish line, and that it’s within reach!
Use visuals like goal charts, progress trackers, or even a simple checklist that shows where they are in the articulation hierarchy (words → phrases → sentences → conversation). Take a moment at the start or end of each session to say, “Here’s where you are, and here’s what’s next.” It gives purpose to each session and helps them feel in control of their own success.
Better yet, celebrate the small wins. Moving up a level? Mastering a tricky sound at sentence level? Let them know it’s a big deal! Students are far more likely to stay engaged when they know that the work they’re doing now is leading to something, and that their hard work is paying off.
Where to find engaging articulation carryover activities for older students?
If you’re looking for more structured, age-appropriate activities to keep older students motivated, look for resources that:
- Include games and worksheets organized by sound position and articulation hierarchy
- Are easy for parents to use at home
- Make practice fun and engaging for older kids
I’ve created a collection of speech therapy activities specifically designed for older students. They’re simple to use, fun, and effective for targeting each step of the articulation hierarchy, from words to conversation! You can check out my free Initial TH activities here to get started right away!
We’ve discussed 3 easy ways to motivate your older students for articulation practice. By making practice meaningful, gamifying sessions with age-appropriate activities, and showing them the finish line, you can help your students stay engaged and confident in their speech.
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