Encouraging speech and language skills at home

One question I get asked frequently is how to work on speech and language skills at home.  You can target many things in your daily routines such as labeling items to expand vocabulary, following directions and asking wh- questions.  The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) has a great list of different ways to do this.  Here is the link:

Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development

I hope this list helps to think of some ideas to try!

-Cassee

Getting Ready for Summer (and Keeping a Schedule)

The school year is winding down.  This is a busy time for kids and families with end of the year celebrations, wrapping up a year of learning, and preparing for summer.

It is tough to maintain a predictable schedule/routine right now, but it is a good time to plan and create a new summer routine.  You can help your children maintain and improve the skills they learned this school year by creating opportunities to use them at least weekly over the summer.

You may find that your child thrives without the limits of a routine or your child may like the predictability that comes with a schedule.  Either way, here are some key elements to work into your summer plan.

1. Reading time.  This probably involves reading to your child.  There are many wonderful summer adventure stories out there.  If you child is a reader encourage them to choose topics of interest to read over the summer, before assigned reading begins again in the fall.

2. Writing.  I've been hearing a lot about journaling.  It seems like journaling has been part of some school routines beginning in kindergarten.  Keeping a summer journal and chronicling activities and vacations will encourage and maintain narrative skills.  Writing 'snail mail' to a family member/pen pal would be a fun activity too.

3. Math.  Some kids in my neighborhood have been doing their math with sidewalk chalk and I love to walk by and see what they're working on.  Recently, they've been incorporating addition and subtraction into their hopscotch squares.  Brilliant!

4. Science/Engineering.  I'm not talking about complex experiments that take a lot of materials here.  I'm talking about blowing up balloons and seeing how far they go when you let the air out.  Timing how long it takes to freeze a batch of popsicles.  Building block towers to see which base is most stable.  Digging in different areas to compare soils.

5. Creativity/Art.  This includes ideas like painting, decorating bikes with streamers, making obstacle courses at the park.

One last thing I want to add is that none of these activities involve media or technology.  Summer is a great time to take a break from iPads, etc. to entertain your kids.  As long as they are safe, send them outside to solve their boredom.  Stargazing is encouraged.

Enjoy the last few weeks of school and the beautiful weather!