Utilizing Children’s Books to Develop Language Skills

Children’s books are a readily available and easy to use resource for targeting receptive and expressive language skills. Here is a look at 5 popular children’s books and how they can be used to target a variety of language goals

Age range: 3 years to 5 years

Suggested Vocabulary:

Lizard

Lamb

Tiger

Chimp

Lion

Bunny

Toad

Snail

Ox

Kitten

Fox

Cricket

Ant

Bee

Whale

Shark

Clam

Shrimp

Target Language Skills:

Syntax:

                Contractible copulas

                Predicate adjectives

                Adjectives

                Articles

                Concrete nouns

                Pronoun usage “I” and “me”

Semantics:

Classifying words – land animals, sea animals, big animals, small animals

Comparative words – quick/slow, big/small, happy/sad, hot/cold, loud/quiet

Activity 1: Opposites

Happy face and sad face puppets – Direct the child in drawing a happy face on one plate and a sad face on the other. Child can then practice labeling facial features and colors. The puppets can then be used to practice pronoun usage for “I” and “me” during pretend play and for playing Simon Says targeting opposite concepts such as fast/slow and loud/quiet.

Materials needed: paper plates or paper bags and markers

Activity 2: Categorizing Animals

            Direct the child in grouping the animals by big or small, then by sea animals or land animals.

            Materials needed: felt board or poster board, felt animals, pictures of animals or toy animals

Age Range: 3 years to 5 years

Suggested Vocabulary:

Hen

Yard

Pond

Haystack

Fence

Beehive

Target Language Skills

Syntax:

                Prepositions

                Prepositional phrases

                Interrogative pronouns (Who went on a walk?)

                Subjective case pronouns (Rosie went on a walk)

                Verb tense

                Temporal words

                Articles

Semantics:

                Comparative word-pairs

Activity 1: Obstacle Course

Create an obstacle course outside or in the therapy room. Provide objects that will give the child an opportunity to act out the prepositional phrases presented in this story.

Examples:

                Go across the sidewalk

                Go around a tree

                Go step over some flowers

                Go past a structure

                Go through the doors

                Go under the table

Activity 2: Hen on a Haystack

Provide visual instructions for making this craft to target following directions. Cover the cone with pieces of hay and place the hen on top of the haystack.

Materials needed: Styrofoam cone, hay, glue, plastic or paper hen

Age Range: 3 years to 5 years

Suggested Vocabulary:

Caterpillar

Apple

Pear

Plum

Strawberry

Orange

Cake

Ice Cream

Pickle

Cheese

Cupcake

Watermelon

Moon

Egg

Leaf

Sun

Butterfly

Target Language Skills

Syntax:

                Articles – a and the

                Prepositions

                Prepositional phrases

                Subjective case pronouns “…he ate through one apple”

                Negative sentence type “Now he wasn’t hungry any more….”

                Infinitive phrases

                Conjoining

                Predicate adjectives

Sequencing

Semantics:

                Spatial concepts

                Temporal concepts

                Quantitative concepts

                Qualitative concepts

                Categorization

Activity 1: Fruit Salad

Place fruit cocktail and coconut in a bowl. Then slice the bananas and add them to the fruit and coconut. Mix and let chill. Target following directions and vocabulary by having the child following visual and verbal directions for making the fruit salad.

Materials needed: 2 large cans of fruit cocktail, 1 can of Bakers coconut and 2 large bananas

Activity 2: Sequencing exercise – Caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly

Materials needed: 3 medium Styrofoam balls, 1 large Styrofoam ball, 4 pipe cleaners, 2 googlie eyes, markers, butterfly pattern and brown yarn.

Caterpillar - Color the 3 styrofoam balls green. Form the body of the caterpillar by gluing the balls together. Glue eyes on the face and attach pipe cleaners for antennas.

Cocoon – Wrap the large ball in brown yarn.

Butterfly – Color the butterfly pattern and attach pipe cleaners for antennas.

Age Range: 4 years to 6 years

Suggested Vocabulary:

Goat

Valley

Meadow

Bridge

Troll

Target Language Skills:

Syntax:

                Verb tensing: -ed marker

                Pronouns: they, he, him

                Plurals

                Articles

                Prepositions: in, over, under, into

                Prepositional phrases

                Interrogative pronouns

                Infinitive phrases

                Contractible copula

Pragmatics:

                Narration and role playing

Semantics:

                Comparative word pairs

                Comparative and superlatives

                Quantitative terms

                Qualitative terms

                Temporal concepts

Activity 1: Sequencing

Instruct the child in making goat puppets. First you color the goat, then you put glue on the bag, last you put the goat on the bag.

Materials needed: 3 paper bags, 3 patterns for goat (small, medium, large), markers, glue

Activity 2: Narration and role-playing

Have the child act out the story using the puppets.

Age Range: 4 years to 6 years

Suggested Vocabulary:
Dough

Gingerbread

Woman

Man

Boy

Feet

Eyes

Mouth

Raisin

Jacket

Cow

Horse

Wheat

Threshers

Mowers

Fox

Target Language Skills:

Syntax:

Prepositions: in, into, on, across, out, down

Prepositional phrases

Pronouns

 Semantics:

                Comparative concepts

                Temporal concepts

                Verb tensing: -ed marker

                Negative sentence types

Pragmatics:

                Narration and sequencing

  

Activity 1: Baking Gingerbread Boy Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup of shortening

1 cup of sugar

1 egg

1 cup molasses

2 tbs. vinegar

3 tbs. baking soda

5 cups flour

1 ½ tsp. salt

3 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground gloves

Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat in the egg, molasses and vinegar. Set this mixture aside. Sift together the dry ingredients. Blend the dry ingredient mixture with the first mixture and chill for 3 hours. Roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly greased cookie sheet and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from the cookie sheet. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

Activity 2: Narration

Retell the story using a gingerbread boy puppet. Create the puppet using the cookie cutter from activity 1, brown construction paper and sequins.

Karran Morris M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

MedCare Pediatric Rehab Center - Northshore

 



Tips to Make Halloween Enjoyable for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

We received this email from the Autism Society of America and think it's great information to pass on to our friends and families!

Tips to Make Halloween Enjoyable for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The very things that can be so exciting to some people — wearing a costume, being outside with other kids also wearing costumes, knocking on doors and getting treats — can cause anxiety for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Wearing a costume is unfamiliar, as is going from house to house to ask for treats. New routines and behaviors can be enjoyable for kids on the spectrum when they are approached with planning, and the necessary supports are identified and provided. Following are some things you can do ahead of time to help your child enjoy this occasion:

1. Begin early (even a month before) to prepare your child for Halloween activities. Read a story about Halloween and the activities that surround it, like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes and trick-or-treating. Teach your child the skills involved in participating—knocking on the door, holding out the bag, saying “trick or treat” or using assistive technology (a picture or device) to communicate the message, and then saying “thank you.”

2. Help your child choose a costume that will reflect his or her interests. Let him or her practice wearing the costume around the house while practicing Halloween activities. If wearing a costume is irritating, give your child the option of wearing face paint, a scarf, or a hat on Halloween. No costume is also OK.
3. Write a social narrative describing what your child will do on Halloween. Include in this story information about wearing the costume or face paint, and carrying the trick-or-treat bag. Identify which houses your child will visit, what your child will say at each house, and what he or she will do with the treats she receives. Read more Halloween tips.

Share Your Halloween Advice for Children, Teens and Adults:

Do you have great advice to share regarding costumes, trick-or-treating, handing out candy, parties, haunted houses or any of the other spooky activities that take place during October? Please submit your tips and ideas below. The Autism Society will compile a list and share them in the October 18 edition of the Autism Society e-newsletter, ASA-Net. Submit your tip now!

GFCF CANDY LIST

For our friends and families who need to be cautious with halloween candy due to special diets, there is a GREAT list of GFCF candy that can be found here: http://surefoodsliving.com/2011/10/gluten-free-halloween-candy-quick-list-2011/

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a technique that therapists can perform to improve muscle movement.  Fascia is a three dimensional web that surrounds muscles, nerves, and bones and that lends support and separation to all the body systems.  Fascial restrictions can occur for a variety of reasons such as birth trauma, inflammatory processes, poor posture, muscle weakness, and abnormal movement patterns. 

The primary purpose of myofascial release is to remove these restrictions and improve structural alignment.  Myofascial release is a form of stretching that allows for improved muscle relaxation and movement.  As the muscle softens, it allows for improved muscle elongation and elasticity which will allows for improved movement and posture.  Myofascial release can also help relax scar tissue which often causes restrictions as children grow. 

There are certain conditions in which myofascial release cannot be performed and your therapist will be aware of when myofascial release will be beneficial.  If you’d like to know more information about whether or not myofascial release might be beneficial for your child, please ask your therapist!

Cyberbullying

In today’s world where almost every person has a cell phone or uses some form of social media like Facebook, bullying has taken on a new name.  Cyberbullying  can be defined as when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through e-mail or text message, or when someone posts something online about another person that they do not like.

We are familiar with bullying, even I can remember a time growing up when I was either pushed by another kid at the playground or made fun of for the way I look; but there are differences with cyberbullying.  Victims often do not know who the bully is or why they are being targeted.  Cyberbullying is viral which means a large number of people can be involved and that means more people know about it.  Finally, it is easier to be hurtful through electronics because it can be done from a distant location and the bully does not have to see the immediate response of the victim.

There are some warning signs you may be able to identify if your child is a victim of cyberbullying:

·         Unexpectedly stops using their computer or cell phone

·         Appears nervous or jumpy when a text message or e-mail appears

·         Appears anxious and uneasy about going to school or outside in general

·         Appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer or cell phone

·         Avoids discussion about what they are doing on the computer or cell phone

·         Becomes withdrawn from family and friends

If you feel as though your child is the victim of cyberbullying, work to make sure your child feels safe and secure with you and that you want the same goal as him/her, to put an end to it.  Ask your child to print out and keep any evidence they may have of cyberbullying so that you can help with the situation.  Report any inappropriate comments made on websites (Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc.).  Use privacy setting to restrict any unauthorized use on your profile page.

There are even ways in which you can prevent cyberbullying before it starts.  Educate your child on appropriate online behavior.  Monitor your child’s activities while online either informally through active participation in your child’s internet experience or formally through software programs.  Keep an open line of communication with your child so that they feel comfortable to come and talk to you.  You can create an Internet Use Contract or Cell Phone Use Contract so your child has a clear understanding of what is appropriate and inappropriate use of technology.

Bullying is no longer found just in the classroom; it has become viral and has a far greater reach.  You can do something about it now.  Spread the word in your community that bullying and cyberbullying is not acceptable.

Douglas Plaeger, MA, LPC

How Effective Is Your Hand Washing Technique?

You probably hear constantly this time of year about good hand washing technique to prevent the spread of infection. Nurses, Therapists and Teachers normally carry or use alcohol based hand sanitizer many times per day to protect themselves and their clients. At home, you may not wash your hands as frequently or as thoroughly as you should to prevent the spread of sometimes deadly infection.

Always wash your hands before:

You eat or handle any food.

Inserting or removing contact lenses.

Treating wounds, giving medications or any other personal care.

Always wash your hands after:

Preparing food or going from raw food (meat especially) to other types of food.

Using the restroom or changing a diaper.

Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing in to your hand.

Handling garbage or household waste.

After touching animals.

**You can use an alcohol based hand gel if soap and water are not available.**

What is the right way to wash your hands?

·        Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.

·        Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

·        Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

·        Rinse your hands well under running water.

·        Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

For more information and educational materials, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/

Healthy Tips for Busy Families!

Now that school has started back up and there are afterschool activities, sports and homework, it can be easier and less stressful to provide fast food or packaged meals to your family. A good diet is essential for growth, brain and bone development, quality of sleep and stress levels.  Obesity is a growing epidemic in the US and poor dietary habits coupled with little to no exercise are to blame. Below are some helpful tips to start a healthy diet:

·         Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables. Make sure you choose a variety of different colors and types of fruits and vegetables. Deep colored vegetables (leafy greens, avocados, etc) have lots of vitamins!

·         Half of all grains consumed should be whole. Choose whole wheat bread, rolls or tortillas instead of white or flour.

·         Vary your food choices. Try different or new foods. Go to a farmer’s market for new ideas or to find different vegetables.

·         Limit salty and fatty foods. This includes but is not limited to potato chips, fried foods or pre-packaged meals which can have added sodium as a preservative.

·         Cook more often at home. You can control what you eat and what goes in to your meals this way. You can also cut down on expenses.

·         Always eat breakfast! Skipping meals can lower you metabolism and subject you to weight gain and other health problems.

·         Only keep healthy foods in your pantry. You or your kids can’t eat junk food if you don’t have it available!

Exercise is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is recommended that children are active for 60 minutes per day and adults are active for at least 2 ½ hours per week. It’s easier for the whole family to be involved in physical activity. Sports are a great way for kids to stay active. Talk with your kids and other family members and find an activity that everyone can participate in and enjoy such as walking the dog, jogging with a friend or pushing a smaller child in a baby stroller or a family bike ride. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

 Many resources are available at : http://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html



Does My Child Need Glasses?

As kids get back to school this year, it is important that parents and teachers are alert for subtle signs that could detect vision loss. Often times when a child is struggling in school, it may be that a vision problem is to blame. Look for these signs in your child:

*     Squinting- This is a compensation mechanism that allows the child to see more clearly through a smaller field of vision. Squinting reduces the amount of blurriness and sharpens images. However it is only a temporary fix and can lead to further problems such as eye strain or headaches.

*      Tilting the head to one side- This may be due to an imbalance in the eye muscles or strabismus more commonly called “lazy eye.” This condition can cause double vision and tilting the head corrects it.

*      Sitting too close to the television or computer screen- We’ve all heard sitting too close to the TV will ruin your vision. However if your child starts getting closer and closer to the screen it may be a sign of nearsightedness. Covering one eye to watch TV or read is also a sign of vision problems as the child is just using the good eye to see.

*      Losing place while reading

*      Excessive tearing

*      Rubbing eyes

*      Light sensitivity

*      Complaints of frequent headaches

 If you notice any signs or your child complains of any vision problems, make an appointment with your eye doctor right away. Don’t let vision problems go untreated as they could lead to further eye damage or learning problems.