Objective: ‘Turns for targets." Games are almost a 'staple' in therapy with children. A game format is used to motivate the client to use his or her target in a speaking task in order to get a turn playing the game.

Problem: While I don't have a major objection to games (I usually enjoy them myself!), it often becomes problematic when the game becomes more important than the lesson. Its easy for a child (or adult) to become so wrapped up in the game that target use falls pretty much out of cognitive awareness. Oh sure, the child uses the target, but he or she is virtually unaware of that they are actually doing it.

This doesn't make for good learning, so its unusual that I will use games in therapy with children. Beware that some games incorporate time pressures into the structure of the game activity. This can be advantageous at higher levels of therapy, but generally overwhelm the client when the game is played with peers.