How to Build Vocabulary and Concepts While Using Bubbles
Bubbles aren’t just fun — they’re a simple, engaging way to build vocabulary, concepts, and early communication skills through play. Because bubble play is naturally motivating, it creates the perfect environment for introducing new words, practicing concepts, and encouraging interaction.
I'm Sarah, a speech-language pathologist at Metro Therapy. In this video, we're wrapping up our series on using bubbles to build speech and language skills with young children. In this video, I'll be sharing some ideas on how to build vocabulary and concepts while you're playing with bubbles.
Vocabulary Idea #1: Body Parts
There are so many different types of vocabulary and things you can talk about and learn with your child while you're blowing bubbles. The first thing you can focus on is body parts. It's a really easy activity to practice labeling all different body parts.
A simple way to do this is with popping bubbles. I might blow some bubbles and say, “We're going to pop with our finger.” And then maybe the next time I'll say, “Okay, now let's pop with our hands.” Or, “Can you pop it with your feet?”
You can get really creative, pop with your elbow or your nose, and just have a lot of fun and be silly with that activity. You could also have them tell you which body part to use. Or, if your child isn't able to pick a body part, you could offer them a choice. You can say, “Should we pop with our nose or our foot?” and see if they can choose one.
Vocabulary Idea #2: Prepositions and Location Words
The second, I guess, category of vocabulary you can talk about is prepositions or location words. You can say things like:
I'm going to blow the bubbles way up high.
Watch when they go up.
We can blow them down.
I'm going to blow these over your head, watch.
Can you blow them through this hoop in my arms?
Next, you can focus on answering a where question and model, where should we blow them next, up or down? Where should we blow them now: under the chair or over the table? This helps your child work on understanding all that location vocabulary.
Vocabulary Idea #3: Size and Quantity
The third type of vocabulary you can talk about is size and quantity. As you're blowing bubbles, you might say:
I'm going to blow a really big bubble. Look how big it is.
Now we’re going to blow some little bubbles. Watch, here they come. They’re so little.
And then you can also talk about quantity. So I might say:
This time I’m going to blow just one bubble.
Now we’re going to blow lots of bubbles! So many bubbles!
Even when bubbles are unpredictable or don’t work perfectly, it’s okay — it opens more opportunities for language.
Vocabulary Idea #4: Personal Pronouns
The last thing you can focus on is personal pronouns, which is a very difficult skill for some kids to master. I might say:
I am going to blow these bubbles. Here I go — I’m doing it.
Okay, now you do it.
Who’s going to blow next — me or you?
It's also a nice way to practice taking turns back and forth. Or, if you're playing with multiple family members or other kids, you can talk about people's names.
Who's going to blow now?
Okay, it's Abby's turn
Who's next?
And you can be silly. “Oh, is it the dog's turn? No, the dog can't blow bubbles.” Just have fun with it, play with it. Practice those pronouns, people's names and who questions.
Want Help Supporting Your Child’s Vocabulary and Language Skills?
I hope that this series has given you lots of great ideas on ways you can use bubbles to build those communication skills with children and have lots of fun too.
If you’d like personalized guidance on using play to build communication skills, our speech-language pathologists are here to help you every step of the way. Call Metro Therapy at (763) 450-9400 to speak with an SLP or schedule an appointment.
