Resource Reviews: Headbands/Charades

Note: All our reviews are based on clinical experience in face to face sessions with paediatric populations. We only review resources we have experience using, are well regarded in the speech language pathologist world, and have lots of uses in therapy sessions for numerous different therapy goals.

What is Headbands?

Headbands is a family-friendly guessing game where players wear a headband with a card on it, which they can’t see. The goal is to guess what’s on the card by asking yes/no questions, like “Am I an animal?” or “Do I live in the water?” Other players answer, and the first player to correctly guess their card wins.

Age Range

Recommended for children ages 7 and up. Can also be adapted for younger children (around 5+) with support, such as adjusting the cards or providing simplified hints.

Who Is Headbands For?

• Children with speech and language delays or disorders, particularly those working on:

  • Vocabulary development

  • Question formation

  • Pragmatic (social) language skills

  • Turn-taking and listening skills

• Neurodivergent children (e.g., children with autism or ADHD), as long as social interactions are scaffolded and rules are clearly explained.

• Families or groups who want to work on interactive communication in a playful way.

Who Is Headbands Not For?

• Children with severe communication disorders who struggle with verbal expression or understanding yes/no questions.

• Children with limited attention spans or impulse control may find it challenging unless the game is shortened or modified.

• It may not suit children with frustration tolerance issues, as guessing games can sometimes lead to anxiety or emotional outbursts.

Suggested Therapy Goals

1. Vocabulary Building

   • Cards feature common animals, foods, and objects, making it a great tool for teaching and reinforcing new words.

2. Formulating and Answering Questions

   • Children practice forming yes/no questions (e.g., "Do I have fur?").

3. Improving Pragmatic and Social Skills

   • The game promotes turn-taking, listening, and staying on topic.

4. Speech Sound Practice in Context

   • Incorporate target words or sounds into questions (e.g., “Am I a fish?” if practicing /f/ sounds).

5. Building Executive Function Skills

   • Children practice staying focused, following rules, and using deductive reasoning to guess their card.

Extension Ideas for Home/Class

1. Create Custom Cards

   • Personalize cards with target vocabulary or speech sounds. This could include themes (e.g., “summer objects”) or curriculum-related words.

2. Role Reversal

   • Have the child answer questions while wearing the headband. This can help them practice receptive language skills.

3. Speech Sound Focus

   • Before starting the game, identify specific sounds to work on (e.g., /s/ or /k/). Children must include these sounds in their questions or answers during the game.

4. Time Limit and Turn-Taking Practice

   • Use a timer to add a sense of urgency. This encourages children to take quick turns and avoid dominating the game.

5. Group Play in Class Settings

   • Split children into teams and use the game to foster collaboration and teamwork. This can also provide opportunities for peer modeling of appropriate questions and social skills.

6. Use as a Reinforcement Tool

   • Incorporate Headbands as a reward after completing other speech therapy tasks to keep children motivated.

Final Thoughts

• Fun Factor: 4.5/5. Good, fast paced match will keep kids engaged. Wrong answers and the look of shock on reveal can add a silly/humour factor to the game as well. Limited engagement from younger players with poor attention spans.

• Replayability: 5/5. Every player gets a concept each game, keeping it fresh and engaging.

• Adaptability to Therapy: 4/5. A fun way to work on more abstract concepts and higher level vocabulary. Abstract nature of rule can make it too complicated for some.

• Final Score: 4.5/5. A great game for small groups or kids with specific interests. Hampered by limited engagement value for younger audience due to opaque rules.

Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.

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Suggested Resources

Headbands/Charades Game

Headbands is a fun party game that the whole family can enjoy. Great for working on more abstract rules and higher level concepts in an engaging environment! Click on the picture to find out more.