Fun Present Progressive Speech Therapy Activities for Kids

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Present Progressive Tense
3. Step 1: Building Receptive Language (Identification)
4. Step 2: Single Word Production
5. Step 3: Expanding to Full Sentences
6. 10 Engaging Present Progressive Speech Therapy Activities
7. Setting Realistic Expectations
8. Why Speech Blubs is Different
9. Choosing the Right Plan for Your Family
10. Generalization: Bringing "-ing" into Every Conversation
11. Summary of Key Takeaways
12. FAQ
13. Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever noticed your child pointing at a dog in the park and shouting "Run!" or watching their favorite character on screen and simply saying "Eat!"? While these single-word observations are exciting milestones, they are also the first steps toward a much bigger linguistic leap: the present progressive verb tense. This grammatical marker—the simple "-ing" we tack onto the end of words—is the secret sauce that turns choppy, telegraphic speech into fluid, descriptive communication. It allows a child to describe the world exactly as it is happening in the "here and now."

At Speech Blubs, we understand that mastering these nuances of language can sometimes feel like a steep mountain to climb for both parents and children. Whether your child is a "late talker," has a diagnosed language delay, or is simply navigating the typical (and sometimes tricky) waters of early childhood development, teaching the present progressive doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it shouldn't be. Our mission is to empower children to speak their minds and hearts through joyful, play-based learning. We believe in "smart screen time" that acts as a bridge to real-world connection, rather than a barrier.

In this guide, we will explore the developmental importance of the "-ing" suffix and provide you with a comprehensive toolkit of present progressive speech therapy activities. From simple daily routines to interactive digital play, we’ll show you how to foster a love for communication and build your child’s confidence one "jumping" and "splashing" moment at a time. By the end of this post, you will have a clear, science-backed roadmap to help your little one transition from single words to descriptive, meaningful sentences.

Understanding the Present Progressive Tense

Before we dive into the activities, it is helpful to understand what we are actually teaching. The present progressive tense consists of an auxiliary verb (is/are) combined with a main verb ending in "-ing" (e.g., "The cat is sleeping").

For most children, this is one of the very first grammatical markers they acquire. Typically, toddlers begin using the "-ing" ending around the age of 25 to 30 months. Why so early? Because toddlers live in the moment. They aren't yet concerned with what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow; they care about what is happening right in front of them.

Why the "-ing" Matters

When a child leaves off the "-ing," their speech can sound "choppy." For instance, "Daddy cook" instead of "Daddy is cooking." While we can usually guess what they mean, the inclusion of the present progressive provides clarity and allows the child to participate more fully in conversations.

At Speech Blubs, our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems. They created the tool they wished they had—one that blends scientific principles like video modeling with the sheer joy of play. We know that when a child masters a new way to express themselves, their frustration levels drop, and their confidence soars.

Step 1: Building Receptive Language (Identification)

Before a child can say "running," they need to understand what "running" looks like. This is called receptive language. If you ask your child, "Who is jumping?" and they point to the correct picture, they have the receptive concept down.

The "Point to the Action" Game

Start with simple, clear images of familiar actions. You can use physical flashcards or even photos of family members on your phone.

• The Activity: Lay out three photos (e.g., someone eating, someone sleeping, someone washing). Ask your child, "Who is eating?"
• The Speech Blubs Twist: In our app, we use peer-led video modeling. Children are often more motivated to pay attention to other children than to adults. By watching a "Blub" (one of the kids in our videos) perform an action, your child’s mirror neurons fire, helping them understand and eventually mimic the action.

Step 2: Single Word Production

Once your child can identify the action, the next goal is to get them to add that "-ing" suffix to a single word.

The Modeling Technique

When you are playing together, and your child says a base verb, simply expand on it. If they say "Jump!" while their toy dinosaur is hopping, you say, "Yes, jumping! The dino is jumping."

For a parent whose 3-year-old "late talker" loves animals, the Animal Kingdom section of the Speech Blubs app offers a fun, motivating way to practice. As the child watches a peer mimic a monkey "swinging" or a lion "roaring," they are naturally encouraged to join in.

Step 3: Expanding to Full Sentences

This is where we introduce the "helper" words: is and are. This is often the hardest part for kids, as these words don't have a "physical" representation like a verb does.

Using Visual Sentence Strips

Visual supports are incredibly powerful for early learners. You can create a simple "sentence strip" with three boxes:

1. A picture of the subject (e.g., a boy).
2. The word "is."
3. A picture of the action (e.g., running).

By pointing to each box as you say the sentence, you provide a visual map for the child’s brain to follow.

10 Engaging Present Progressive Speech Therapy Activities

To keep things fresh and exciting, we’ve compiled our favorite ways to practice these skills at home. Remember, the goal is to create joyful family learning moments, not a high-pressure classroom environment.

1. The "What’s Happening?" Park Visit

The park is a goldmine for present progressive verbs. Find a comfortable bench and simply observe.

• How to Play: Ask your child, "What are the kids doing?" Help them notice the actions. "Look, the girl is swinging. The boy is sliding. The dog is barking."
• Why it Works: It uses real-life, high-interest actions that are happening in real-time.

2. Toy Meal Time

If your child enjoys imaginary play with dolls, action figures, or stuffed animals, use this to your advantage.

• The Scenario: Set up a mini-tea party or a "dino dinner."
• The Dialogue: "Oh, look! Teddy is eating a cookie. Is Spiderman drinking juice? Yes, he is drinking!"
• Focus: Use your voice to emphasize the "-ing" ending. Make it a bit longer and louder: "Eat-ING!"

3. Simon Says (The Progressive Edition)

Put a twist on the classic game to focus specifically on the verb tense.

• The Rule: Simon only gives "doing" commands. "Simon says... start clapping!" "Simon says... start wiggling!"
• The Check-In: While they are doing the action, ask, "What are you doing?" and encourage the response, "I am wiggling!"

4. Bath Time Narration

Daily routines are the best time for "smart" communication. You don't need extra toys; you just need to narrate the sequence of events.

• The Script: "I am pouring the water. You are splashing. Now, we are washing your hair. Look at the bubbles! They are floating."
• The Benefit: Since bath time happens every day, the repetition helps solidify the grammatical structure in the child’s long-term memory.

5. Mirror Mimicry

Stand in front of a large mirror with your child. This is a great way to build body awareness alongside language.

• The Activity: Make a silly face or do a simple action. "I am brushing my hair. What are you doing?"
• Social Proof: Seeing themselves and you simultaneously helps bridge the gap between their action and the word used to describe it.

6. The "Action Card" Sensory Bin

Hide picture cards of different actions (running, sleeping, dancing) inside a bin filled with rice, beans, or kinetic sand.

• The Game: Your child "hunts" for a card. When they find one, they have to name the action using the correct tense.
• The Reward: If they say "The girl is dancing," they get to do a 5-second "dance break" themselves!

7. Interactive Digital Modeling with Speech Blubs

Sometimes, you need a high-engagement tool to break through a plateau.

• The Strategy: Download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play Store.
• The Focus: Use the "What a Ride" or "Giant Steps" sections. These activities feature children performing various actions. The app encourages your child to record themselves, allowing them to see their own face performing the action—a powerful tool for self-correction and confidence.

8. The Photo Scavenger Hunt

Give your child a (child-safe) camera or your phone and ask them to take pictures of people "doing things" around the house.

• The Review: Afterward, look through the "gallery" together. "Look! Here is Mommy. Mommy is working. Here is the cat. The cat is napping."
• The Connection: Using photos of their own environment makes the learning deeply personal and relevant.

9. "Before and After" Storytelling

Use simple two-part picture sequences. One picture shows a child with a glass of water; the second shows an empty glass.

• The Teaching Point: Focus on the "middle" part. "In this first picture, what is he doing? He is drinking!" This helps distinguish the ongoing action from the completed one.

10. The "Video Call" Playback

If you record a video of your child playing, watch it back with them immediately.

• The Activity: "Look at you! What were you doing there? You were running so fast!"
• The Twist: Ask them to describe what you (the parent) are doing in the video.

Setting Realistic Expectations

At Speech Blubs, we want to be very clear: every child’s developmental journey is unique. We don't promise that your child will be giving public speeches in a month. Language acquisition is a marathon, not a sprint.

Our goal is to foster a love for communication and reduce the frustration that often comes with speech delays. If your child is currently struggling, focus on the small wins. A child who previously only used single nouns but is now attempting to say "Doggy run" is making incredible progress! These activities should be a powerful supplement to your child's overall development plan and, if necessary, professional therapy.

If you are unsure where your child stands, we recommend taking our quick 3-minute preliminary screener. It consists of 9 simple questions and provides you with a personalized assessment and a next-steps plan. It’s a great way to gain peace of mind and see if our "smart screen time" is the right fit for your family.

Why Speech Blubs is Different

You might wonder why we advocate for our app alongside these physical activities. It’s because we provide a screen-free alternative to the "passive viewing" culture. Unlike cartoons where children just sit and stare, Speech Blubs is designed for active participation.

Our method is backed by science, placing us in the top tier of speech apps worldwide. We utilize peer video modeling, which has been shown to be highly effective for children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and general speech delays. By watching other kids, your child feels like they are part of a playdate, not a therapy session.

"Our mission is to empower children to speak their minds and hearts. We provide an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support."

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Family

We believe in transparency and providing the best value for parents who are invested in their child's future. We offer two main ways to access the full Speech Blubs experience:

• Monthly Plan: $14.99 per month. This is a great "pay-as-you-go" option if you want to test the waters.
• Yearly Plan: $59.99 per year. This is our clear best-value choice, breaking down to just $4.99 per month—a 66% saving compared to the monthly rate.

The Yearly Plan also includes exclusive, high-value features that the monthly plan does not:

1. 7-Day Free Trial: Try everything risk-free before you commit.
2. Reading Blubs App: Access to our secondary app designed to boost early literacy and reading skills.
3. Early Access: Be the first to try new updates and features.
4. Priority Support: A 24-hour support response time for any questions you have.

We encourage families to choose the Yearly plan to ensure they have the full suite of tools needed to support their child’s long-term growth.

Generalization: Bringing "-ing" into Every Conversation

The final step in mastering present progressive speech therapy activities is "generalization." This means your child can use the tense correctly in new environments and with different people without being prompted.

How to Help Them Generalize:

• Wait Time: After asking "What are you doing?", wait for 5–10 seconds. It feels like a long time, but their little brains are processing the grammar, the motor planning for the sounds, and the social context. Give them the space to succeed.
• Correcting Gently: If they say "He jump," don't tell them they are "wrong." Instead, use "recasting." Simply repeat the sentence back correctly: "Yes, he is jumping!" This provides the correct model without making the child feel discouraged.
• Celebrate Success: When you hear that "-ing" used spontaneously, get excited! High-fives, cheers, and "I love how you told me what the dog is doing!" go a long way in reinforcing the behavior.

Check out what other parents are saying about their child's success and how they've seen these small moments turn into big breakthroughs on our testimonials page.

Summary of Key Takeaways

Teaching the present progressive tense is a foundational step in your child's language development. By focusing on the "here and now," you are meeting them exactly where they are developmentally.

• Start Receptively: Make sure they can identify the action before asking them to say it.
• Use Video Modeling: Leverage the power of peer imitation through tools like Speech Blubs.
• Narrate Life: Turn bath time, meal time, and park visits into informal therapy sessions.
• Keep it Joyful: If your child gets frustrated, take a break. Play is the primary vehicle for learning at this age.

FAQ

1. When should I be concerned if my child isn't using "-ing" endings?

Most children begin using the present progressive tense between 2.5 and 3 years of age. If your child is over 3 and is still only using single nouns or base verbs (e.g., "juice," "run," "eat") without any grammatical markers, it may be worth consulting a speech-language pathologist or taking a preliminary screener to see if they could benefit from extra support.

2. Can Speech Blubs replace traditional speech therapy?

While Speech Blubs is a powerful tool designed by experts and backed by science, it is intended to be a supplement to a child's overall development plan. For many families, it is an excellent first step or a way to maintain progress between professional therapy sessions. Always consult with a professional for a personalized clinical diagnosis.

3. How long should we practice these activities each day?

Consistency is more important than duration. Just 10 to 15 minutes of "smart screen time" or focused play-based activity per day can make a significant difference. The key is to integrate the language into your existing daily routines so it doesn't feel like "work."

4. Why does the Yearly plan include a different app?

The Yearly plan includes Reading Blubs because language and literacy are deeply interconnected. Once a child begins mastering spoken grammar like present progressive verbs, the next logical step is connecting those sounds to letters and words on a page. We provide both tools to give your child a comprehensive head start.

Conclusion

Helping your child find their voice is one of the most rewarding journeys you will ever take as a parent. By incorporating these present progressive speech therapy activities into your daily life, you aren't just teaching grammar; you are giving your child the tools to share their world with you. Whether it’s through a silly game of Simon Says, a narrated bath time, or the interactive video modeling found in our app, every effort you make builds a stronger foundation for their future.

Ready to see your child "speak their mind and heart"? Create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today. We highly recommend choosing our Yearly plan to save 66% and gain access to our full suite of features, including Reading Blubs and priority support. Let's make learning a joyful, family experience together!