Summer holidays are a great time to relax and recharge but we understand that for parents of neurodiverse children and/or children with speech and language difficulties – the lack of routine and structure can be a concern. Our team of friendly therapists understand this worry and have come up with lots of useful Speech and Language Tips for the Summer Holidays.
1. Keep Talking
Whether you’re at the beach, in the car, or on a countryside walk, keep the conversation going! Describe what you see, ask open-ended questions, and encourage your child to talk about their thoughts and feelings.
S&L Therapist Marianne Hadridge suggests that parents try to model meaningful words or phrases during shared experiences, for example;
At the park – “Go down!”, “That’s high!”, “More swing!”.
Snack time – “Yum!”, “More banana”, “All finished”.
Pause during familiar routines and wait for your child to respond (verbally, using gestures, facial expressions). Celebrate any attempts to communicate, imitate their sounds, gestures, or words to show you’ve understood. Children learn best when communication feels natural, fun, and connected to real life.
Resource to try: ICAN’s Talking Point – age-specific tips and activities to support communication skills at home.
2. Embrace the Awkward Silence
We’re not contradicting the first tip, we promise! Whilst modelling language is important, it is also important to remember you don’t have to fill every moment with words.
Speech and Language Therapists Bryony Rust & Charlotte Jarman both suggest that silence gives kids valuable thinking and processing time, offering them opportunities to share their own ideas (verbally or non-verbally), and supports co-regulation in tricky moments.
Charlotte explains “This approach allows your child to start their own conversations in their own time. Waiting for your child to look at you before you respond to them is a helpful way to regulate your own pace and ensure that your child is getting the most out of your language model.”
Resource to try: Read our blog Silence is Golden, The VERVE Approach.
3. Use Screen Time Wisely
If your child is spending time on a tablet or TV, choose content that encourages interaction or storytelling. Afterwards, chat about the show or game. Ask questions like:
- “What happened first?”
- “Why do you think they did that?”
- “What would you do differently?”
Resources to try:
- BBC Tiny Happy People – this website is packed with videos, games, and advice to boost early language skills, especially for under 5s.
- Guide to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – see how tech can help with speech and language development.
3. Play Language Rich Games
Classic games like I Spy, Guess Who?, Simon Says, or 20 Questions are brilliant for practising listening, turn-taking, vocabulary, and describing.
Pro tip: Let your child be the one to give the clues as this builds expressive language and confidence.
Resource to try: Speech and Language UK – Activities for Parents – free, downloadable games and ideas for children of all ages.
4. Make a Summer Diary or Scrapbook
Encourage your child to record their summer memories with drawings, photos, writing, or voice notes. Talk together about what they did, how they felt, and what they’re looking forward to next.
This helps with sequencing, storytelling, and emotional vocabulary.
Pro tip: Use a simple template or app like Book Creator (free version available online) to make it even more fun.
Local Activity Resources: If you’re looking for fun things to do this summer, here are a few things the team have spotted and recommend :
- Kids Norfolk – offer a range of support for families of children with SEND, including parent coffee and connect sessions, free online workshops and summer events.
- Send Friendly Activities – FaceBook Group with lots of fun ideas.
- Cinema for Free – SEND parents can get a CEA card which gives them a free ticket to accompany their child to the cinema
- Colchester Zoo is offering a great sensory bag with low-tech AAC boards.
5. Read Together – Often and with Expression
Reading is one of the best ways to develop language. Choose books related to your summer activities – like animals, travel, or the seaside and talk about the pictures and story.
Ask questions like:
“What do you think will happen next?”
“Why did the character feel that way?”
“Can you tell me the story in your own words?”
Resource to try: The Literacy Trust – Words for Life – offers age-specific book suggestions, literacy games, and reading challenges for holidays.
6. Explore the Outdoors and Talk About It
Nature walks, beach trips, and even your local park are full of opportunities for descriptive language. Talk about textures, sounds, and sights:
- “That’s a bumpy rock!”
- “Can you hear the birds?”
- “This flower smells sweet, what does it remind you of?”
Pro tip: Bring a magnifying glass or bug jar for added curiosity and vocabulary building!
7. Stick to a Predictable Routine (With Flexibility!)
Many children with communication needs feel more secure with a daily routine.
Autistic children in particular can struggle with the loss of structure and routine during school holidays. Our Lead Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Lorna Bailey shares 4 key tips to help you manage the school break;
- Try to stick to a routine (even if it’s different from the normal term-time routine) – covering get up time, mealtimes, bedtime
- Manage expectations, reduce uncertainty, ensure the child knows what is happening – create a visual planner / calendar, tell your child what is happening and when, involve them in planning activities, plan trips out in advance.
- Remember that over-use of screen time can cause overstimulation and sensory overload.
- Schedule quiet time to recharge after social interactions and events.
Resources to try:
- Widgit Online – create free visual supports, schedules, and communication boards using Widgit symbols.
- Read our blog – Attention Autism Activity Ideas for 30 fun activities to try at home.
8. Use Targeted Practice – Little and Often
If your child has specific therapy goals (e.g. sound production, stammering strategies, or understanding instructions), try to practice these in short, daily bursts built into everyday life.
For example:
- Use speech sound practice during car rides.
- Practice following instructions during play (“Put the red car under the chair”).
- Encourage slow speech or breathing techniques during relaxed chats.
Need more ideas?
Your child’s therapist can help adapt strategies for summer use. If you’re going away and can’t make sessions, our team will be happy to share specific ideas for your child.
Final Thought: Make Language Part of the Fun
Summer is about connection, play, and discovery and all of those are perfect opportunities for communication. You don’t need expensive tools or a strict schedule. Just talk, explore, read, and play together.
Need more support?
We hope you’ve found our Speech and Language Therapy Tips for the Summer Holidays helpful. However, if you’d like more personalised advice or activities for your child, our team of qualified speech and language therapists are here to help. Get in touch for a friendly summer check-in or enquire about our summer activity sessions.
