Nonword Activities

Research has demonstrated that nonwords facilitate systemwide changes as well as or more effectively than real words (Gierut, Morrisette & Ziemer, 2010; Gierut & Morrisette, 2010). Such treatment targets are frequently utilized because these words are novel and therefore are not "frozen" in a child's system. As such, this may allow a child to break an old pattern.

Nonwords (e.g., Thramu or Floona) should facilitate meaningful practice. Therefore, nonwords may refer to character names or unusual actions (that do not already have a label). The activities below can be used in tandem with children's literature that features monsters or unusual actions, such as It's A Monster Party (Pym & Fuge, 2003). SLPs can change the names of the characters to include a child's target cluster(s).

Monster crafts

Monster decals (USA) (Give nonwords names such as Splamu or Threeb)

Monster puppets (Give nonwords names such as Splamu or Threeb)

Monster dolls (Give nonwords names such as Splamu or Threeb)