Word Retrieval Exercises for Children

Word retrieval problems are commonly observed among children with language disorders and learning disabilities. Here is a collection of enjoyable activities that can be used to facilitate word retrieval as children participate in a wide range of language and thinking tasks. Activities in which children label items, categorise words, finish sentences, give synonyms/antonyms, describe events, and give explanations are among the tasks included. The rapid naming games help children retrieve words quickly as they use vocabulary for a variety of purposes. The book also contains word retrieval tasks relating to events described in short stories. Parents can present many of the activities at home with guidance from a speech-language pathologist. Reproducible worksheets are included.

The book is divided into five sections:

• Exercises for Language Stimulation. Students are asked to label pictures, classify nouns, complete sentences, make comparisons, define words, rhyme words, describe steps in completing a process, and perform various other language tasks.
• Topic Centred Activities. Each lesson focuses on a specific topic (e.g., Going on a Trip). Students are given practice labelling and describing items, giving word definitions, and talking about situations relevant to the topic of the lesson.
• Word Games. Games are included that require rapid naming of pictures, items within a category, etc.
• Short Stories. Students are presented with stories and asked questions related to story items and story events.
• Picture Card Activities. Pictures are used in activities that challenge students to categorise words, compare related items, give descriptive information, etc.