Little Words

Say & Play Early language · animals

Animals Say Hello

Animal sounds, animal names, greetings, and shared attention

5 farm friendsTap to discoverGreet and make soundsSpeak, gesture, or tap

How this routine works

Five farm friends are hiding in one illustrated farm scene. A child can discover the cow, pig, sheep, horse, and duck in any order. Each friend stays in the farmyard, greets Buddy, and returns for a playful animal-sound turn before the wagon parade.

  1. DiscoverTap any moving hiding place.
    Buddy models: A cow! Hi, cow!
    A wave, look, sound, gesture, AAC selection, or word can be a response.
  2. Make soundsBuddy gives the full animal-sound model first.
    Then the game listens only for the presence of a vocal turn. It does not transcribe, judge, or score speech.
    If the microphone is unavailable or no sound is heard, the animal picture becomes an immediate tap choice.
  3. CelebrateThe barn opens and a tractor wagon arrives.
    Each animal boards, Buddy climbs in, and the full group rides through a farm parade.
    Spoken models and sound effects play one at a time.

Why this interaction fits the communication goal

Primary target: Animal sounds, animal names, greetings, and shared attention

Ways to participate: Tap a hiding place, point, gesture, use AAC, make a sound, or speak.

  • The scene carries the meaning. The child acts directly on the objects instead of answering flashcards over a background.
  • Models can stay short or expand. Examples include:
    • animal sound
    • animal name
    • hi + animal
    • the + animal + is here
  • Speech is never a gate. Tapping, dragging, gesture, AAC, approximations, and spoken language can all be meaningful participation.
  • The payoff belongs to the action. Each choice changes the scene, and the routine ends with the result of what the child has been doing.

This resource supports education and guided practice. It is not an assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized care from a qualified speech-language pathologist. Little Words Editorial authors and checks the interaction, language, and access behavior. Read our editorial standards.

Does a child have to speak?

No. Speech can be invited and modeled, but it is never required or scored.

How should an adult choose a model?

Use a model that fits the child’s current communication goal. When a child is receiving speech therapy, follow the target words, cues, and practice guidance from the child’s SLP.