Many children with special needs have speech and language goals. In fact, most kids in early childhood special education work with a speech therapist. Read on for ideas used by therapists and special education teachers.
Oral Motor Activities are ones that strengthen and train the muscles we use to talk. Oral motor activities make the child aware of his lips, teeth, tongue, cheeks, and roof and sides of his mouth.
What is the Fourth of July without ice cream, a Popsicle, or watermelon? Using your tongue to lick the treat off your lips is a great way to build speech muscles.
Encouraging Speech Sounds involves games and exercises to make the individual sounds that make up words.
OOOOO . . . AHHH! Traditional fireworks responses are also some of the first speech sounds. Make it a game. . . Think of all the speech practice your child will have without knowing it.
Vocabulary Development is increasing the number of words that a child knows. Here are some vocabulary words for Fourth of July:
- red, white, blue
- flag, wave, fly
- stars and stripes
- United States, country, nation, birthday, celebration
- fireworks, blanket, night, loud, pretty, scary
- picnic, sandwich, soda, chips, cooler, cookies
- barbeque, grill, hot dog, hamburger, bun, catsup, mustard, ice cream
- swimming, pool, jump, dive, walk, float, kick, diving board, towel, lifeguard
Extended Language: Phrases and Sentences refers to putting words together for communication.
Language Experience Activities are those which require a child to explain and answers questions about something he has done (for example, going to watch a fireworks display). Why not start with photos of your Fourth of July activities and some basic questions.
- Yes / No Questions
- Do you want a popsicle?
- Was that loud?
- Can you kick your legs (in the water)?
- Do you want catsup on your hot dog?
- "WH" Questions
- What colors are on the flag?
- Where is the flag? I see it on the house / car / etc.
My next article:
Building Cognitive Skills: Fourth of July Fun Pages
Note: Activities represented here are ideas. Parents (not the author) are responsible for choosing an appropriate activity for a particular child and for the consequences of that activity.
