Activities to keep the communication flowing this summer…
Being outdoors is great for children to explore their imagination and communicate safely without wearing masks! Since mask wearing has been mandated in most schools this past year, children have lost the opportunity to hear and see clear speech being produced by peers, teachers, and parents. Some have also chosen to continue with home learning so it is even more crucial for these families to get some fresh air. Use the summer out of the classroom as an opportunity to sharpen speech and language skills. Socialization is key, arrange for lots of playdates, group activities and park time. Here are just a few ideas:
Playing with water: Using a water table, toys, sprinklers or the pool you can target concepts such as “wet vs. dry”, “empty & full”, following directions such as “Put the fish in the water” “Let’s water the yellow flowers”, and sequencing
Blowing Bubbles: Toddlers are very motivated by bubbles! If your tot has already started producing single words GREAT, you’re on track. You can target expanding those words into two-word utterance with simple phrases like “More Please”, “Blow bubbles”, “My turn!”, “Momma’s turn” etc. This stage can be very frustrating because 1-2 year olds are still working out how to express themselves. Try to remain patient and don’t blow the bubbles until the child makes a verbal attempt of what you’re modeling them to say. As a soon as they make that connection that words=what they want. Their phrases repertoire will go right up.
Sand Prepositions: Great for teaching concepts such as “inside, outside, over, under, next to, between etc” using sand and objects.
Sidewalk Chalk Visual Boards: Reinforce letters, numbers, colors and shapes by drawing them outdoors. Have your child identify and verbalize all these concepts and participate in the drawing. If your child is a little older and already spelling, make writing affirmation words a new routine (I.e. “strong”, “smart”, “kind”) and have them use the words in sentences to start the day on a positive note.
Nature I Spy: Build your child’s vocabulary by labeling nouns in the environment. Don’t stick to just simple ones either, (one of my son’s first words was his own version of the word excavator because they always fascinated him.) Target adjectives by describing the objects you see. “I spy a tall, yellow crane!”
Vacation Scavenger Hunt: Following directions, inferencing, and problem solving are all skills that are targeted during a scavenger hunt that involves clues and critical thinking. Incorporate requirements that involve your children talking to unfamiliar listeners to gather information to give them a chance practice their conversation skills.
Road Trip Games/Songs: Music is one of the best ways to motivate your child to start vocalizing. Have them sing along and turn down the volume completely and let them finish lyrics loud and clear. Music has proven to have great benefits in young children, teaches cause and effect, memory, and rhyming. For older children, try the “Guess Who” game. Each player describes a famous person using qualities and attributes via yes/no questions until a person guesses who the mystery person is.
