Why You Should Use Dice in Speech Therapy (and a freebie)

Dice games for speech therapy! Dice are a versatile, cheap, and easy tool to use in speech therapy. You can use them with almost all ages and can whip up an activity last minute!

SPEECH THERAPY DICE GAME IDEAS

Set-up an easy dice game by making a list numbered 1-6, and assigning a speech-language target to each number. (Blue page pictured below.) The student rolls a die and completes the corresponding target.

Target ideas:

• write in articulation words
• words to define/conjugate/put in sentences
• directions to follow
• pictures to label/describe
• WH questions
• write numbers/words that correspond with another activity or task cards

I use this game a lot for first sessions and write questions on each line for the student to answer. For example, when they come to speech, what their speech goals are, and “get to know you” questions.

Another idea is to create a 6×6 grid and fill the squares with targets. (Yellow page pictured below.) Roll a die and find the picture of the die with the same number on the top row (horizontal), then roll again and find the picture of the die with the same number on the side row (vertical). Find the square where the 2 intersect and complete the target! You can make it a fun game by placing a chip or marker on the spot. Get 3 chips in a row to win!

These two open-ended dice games are free to download. Get them sent to your email box!

A variation of this game is to lay down articulation games into a grid and use the same idea. The dice pictured go up to 4, but make your grid 6×6 to use with regular dice!

More dice games ideas:

Articulation drills: Roll the die and that’s how many times the student says the word.

Social skills groups: Dice games are great for social skills groups. Use them for cooperation activities, practice turn taking, and explaining the rules of the game to a friend.

Picture dice: I have a set of Rory’s Story Cubes. The dice have a simple picture of a noun or action on each side. There are different sets with various themes…actions, medic, Batman, Star Wars! View them here.

Use these to work on higher language skills with upper elementary, middle school, and high school students. Work on sequencing, storytelling, narrative structure, expanding sentences, and in your social skills groups. Grab a whiteboard or pieces of paper and make a quick visual prompt!

Dice tips:

Shake them in a little plastic cup or little Tupperware container. Don’t spend the session chasing after lost dice! Or make a rule that if the dice falls off the table, the child loses a turn.

Use digital dice with a website or app!
https://www.teacherled.com/iresources/tools/dice/
Dice Roller App

I hope some of these ideas are helpful!

Don’t miss grabbing the two free open-ended dice reinforcers. Use these dice games to target many speech and language goals! Print and laminate (or put in sheet protectors) for durability and multiple uses with whiteboard markers. Fill in targets on each activity for your student depending on their goals.

Do you use dice in speech therapy? What other ways do you utilize them? What are your favorite dice games?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  All opinions are my own.