Barrier games are a great way to build students’ abilities to give and follow directions, work on formulating and processing multiple critical elements and good descriptions, and more.
One thing I like about them is the ability to differentiate and be flexible about how complicated the activity is for any pair of students.
One of the barrier games resources I have is a fairly simple barrier activity, using kids and cupcakes. You can expand the activity by also commenting and conversing about cupcakes – what kind do you like?, are they yummy?, what’s your favorite flavor?, etc.
Barrier games can be fun in pairs, small groups, or even whole classes. They have been used for decades as a fun way to build both listening and speaking skills.
Having a pair of students take turns giving and following directions develops concise directing and describing skills in a fun activity.
Students learn to listen carefully, and the therapist/teacher is able to focus on scaffolding and teaching such skills as chunking and re-auditorization without having to simultaneously be giving the auditory input.
This particular activity can be kept simple for younger students, by having them simply take turns building and describing single cupcakes to each other.
Or make it more fun for older or more competent communicators by using the scenes provided.
So get your free building cupcakes barrier activity here, and have fun practicing these skills.
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