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Helping a child who struggles to join conversations
School-age kids
5 min read
Helping a child who struggles to join conversations
Joining a conversation takes many small skills at once. Games make them easier to practice.
Reviewed by
Maya Chen, M.S., CCC-SLP
Updated
October 1, 2026
Turn-taking games
Board games, catch and building together all practice waiting, watching and taking a turn.
Practice at home
Take turns telling a story, one sentence each.
Play “guess what I am thinking” with questions.
Talk about a show you watched together.
Respect how your child connects
Some children prefer one friend, or shared interests over small talk. That is fine. The goal is connection, not a script.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you are worried, ask a professional.
Sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), asha.org