Mad for Mad Libs
Mad Libs have been for people of all ages since 1958. Mad Libs are short stories complete with fill-in-the blank. Each blank has a part of speech or category like parts of the body, numbers, places, adjectives, nouns, verbs, or exclamations that is collected from players to complete the story. Once all of the blanks are completed, then everyone enjoys a funny story. Mad Libs are a fun way to pass the time and learn a few things in the process.
Why Mad Libs?
Mad Libs encourages reading and writing skills
Mad Libs encourages reading skills to collect words from players and to read the final story. Mad Libs books often have themes like Star Wars, vacation, sports, spy, and summer fun. Children become storytellers by reading and sharing the final story.
Mad Libs teach parts of speech and categories
Children will learn parts of speech and categories like nouns (person, place or thing), adjectives (words that describe nouns), verb ending in -ing (running, sleeping, juggling), and body parts (elbow, big toe, earlobe). This can help them increase vocabulary. Sometimes the discussion that takes place when words are collected can be just as much of a learning experience. You might find yourself explaining why a given word may or may not fit into the category that is being asked. People may have to explain why they think mooses is an acceptable plural noun. (It’s not, the plural of moose is moose.)
Mad Libs encourage listening skills
When all of the words are collected, it’s time for the big reveal. Children will giggle and groan when the final results of their story. The story may not make sense, adding to the silliness, and this will cause your child to listen even more intently because the story is not what one would expect.
You can go old school and pick up Mad Libs at the bookstore and many toy stores. Yes, there’s a free app for that on both iTunes and Android.
Whether you’re getting ready for a road trip or want a fun activity, check out Mad Libs.
Jann Fujimoto, MS CCC-SLP has loved the randomness and silliness of Mad Libs since she was a child. She continues to share her love of words as a speech-language pathologist and owner of SpeechWorks LLC. SpeechWorks helps children become confident and competent communicators by providing speech therapy in Lake Country homes, schools, pre-schools and afterschool programs as well as in offices in Oconomowoc and Waukesha.
