Happy Summer!! I think everyone is looking forward to a fun and relaxing break.
Parents, you play a vital role in the development of your child's speech and language. Please do not take a "vacation" from this as daily home activities can provide numerous opportunities for you and your child to improve his or her speech and language skills. These same skills are important for success in school, every child can benefit from their continued development.
In an effort to monitor and control our paper shortage - we have listed some activities that you can do over the summer to improve your child's speech and/or language skills.
Preschool-5th grade: If your child is working on improving their language skills, encourage them to answer the questions using complete sentences that are meaningful to the question being asked. Verbal and visual cues may be necessary to help them respond appropriately.
If your child is working on a particular speech sound (i.e., /r/) focus his ro her responses on that specific sound.
-Say the word 5 times using your good speech sound.
-Use the words in a sentence using your good speech sound.
-Self-monitoring of the specific sounds in describing, explaining, or story-telling activities.
Articulation Activities:
-Emphasize sounds in books by over-exaggerating the targeted sounds. Vary the activity - one day have the child repeat the words after you using their good sounds; another day just provide models; another time find 5 words with their sound and use them in a sentence. Praise them for correct production.
Use a tape recorder when reading or doing another activity. After 5 minutes rewind the tape, then using a piece of paper on one side have them mark correct productions of sounds and on the other side mark misproductions. Praise them for using their good sounds.
-Make breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack together with items containing their sound:
*/k/- bake a cake, emphasize cake, bake, chocolate - popcorn, pancakes, coke.
*/t/ - make some toast, emphasize toast, eta, plate, butter, toaster - tea treat...
*/s/ - fix pancakes, emphasize pancakes, syrup, juice - snack, rice, spoon, ....
- Try and name as many animals with your child's sound in it: ex. s-blends: snake, spider, starfish, spotted owl.
-Watch a cartoon. For the first 5 min. tell your child to say the words that they hear that have their sound in them. Make a list and review them during a commercial break.
Language Activities:
-Wh-Questions: After reading a story or watching a TV show, ask comprehension questions. (Who was the story about? When did he decide to ______? Where did he go after that? What did he give to _______? Why do you think he said that?
-Attributes: While sorting laundry together, ask: Which things have stripes? What things come in pairs? What piece of clothing is very soft? Are there any shiny things here? (Use descriptive words in you speech.)
Following directions: Teach your child how to make or do something. Be sure to give your child oral directions as well as show them. Ask them to repeat the directions in their own words.
-Grammar: In regular conversation, model correct usage of pronouns and subject/verb agreement. (She hits, not her hits.) (He drove, not he drived.) Repeat what your child says in the correct way.
For older students:
-Idioms - identify figures of speech in everyday conversation and on TV such as - "It's raining cats and dogs," "Skating on thin ice," "Zip your lips," and "Don't judge a book by it's cover".
-Problem solving: In different situations such as loosing keys, forgetting something at the grocery story, or not having transportation, ask your child, "What is the problem?", "How can we solve it?", "What will happen if we ____?"
-Summarize: After reading or watching a movie, ask your child for the main idea of the story.
Most of all, enjoy your time with your child! Have a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Albrechtson
Adrea Aubry
Shannon Bragg
