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Week 7 Speech and Language with Ms. Wickert

May 06, 2020

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Hello All!

It is crazy to think we are reaching the final weeks of school. I appreciate the parents and students who have engaged in my activities and have reached out during this pandemic. It means a lot to me! This week I am going to focus on the littles-Preschool/Kindergarten aged students around 3-6. I am going to list some helpful tips to encourage speech and language devolvement! 

• Make sure when your child starts a conversation, give your full attention whenever possible and try to have minimal distractions as little ones will be distracted easily.
• Make sure that you have your child's attention before you speak or you may be repeating yourself and become frustrated.
• Acknowledge, encourage, and praise all attempts to speak. Show that you understand the word or phrase by fulfilling the request, if appropriate. I know sometimes this is hard but do your best! 
• Pause after speaking. This gives your child a chance to continue the conversation.Continue to build vocabulary. Introduce a new word and offer its definition, or use it in a context that is easily understood. This may be done in an exaggerated, humorous manner. "I think I will drive the vehicle to the store. I am too tired to walk."
• Talk about spatial relationships (first, middle, and last; right and left) and opposites (up and down; on and off).
• Offer a description or clues, and have your child identify what you are describing: "We use it to sweep the floor" (a broom). "It is cold, sweet, and good for dessert. I like strawberry" (ice cream).
• Work on forming and explaining categories. Identify the thing that does not belong in a group of similar objects: "A shoe does not belong with an apple and an orange because you can't eat it; it is not round; it is not a fruit."Help your child follow two- and three-step directions: "Go to your room, and bring me your book."
• Encourage your child to give directions. Follow his or her directions as he or she explains how to build a tower of blocks.
• Play games with your child such as "house." Exchange roles in the family, with your pretending to be the child. Talk about the different rooms and furnishings in the house.
• The television also can serve as a valuable tool. Talk about what the child is watching. Have him or her guess what might happen next. Talk about the characters. Are they happy or sad? Ask your child to tell you what has happened in the story. Act out a scene together, and make up a different ending.
• Take advantage of daily activities. For example, while in the kitchen, encourage your child to name the utensils needed. Discuss the foods on the menu, their color, texture, and taste. Where does the food come from? Which foods do you like? Which do you dislike? Who will clean up? Emphasize the use of prepositions by asking him or her to put the napkin on the table, in your lap, or under the spoon. Identify who the napkin belongs to: "It is my napkin." "It is Daddy's." "It is John's."
• While shopping for groceries, discuss what you will buy, how many you need, and what you will make. Discuss the size (large or small), shape (long, round, square), and weight (heavy or light) of the packages.

Find more helpful resources and tips at https://www.readingrockets.org/article/activities-encourage-speech-and-language-development.

I will be posting one last article next week. I am also planning to be at school the next 2 weeks so if you would like a final hard packet for the remainder of the school year or to work on through the summer please email me at kwickert@putnamcoutnyr1.net or call me at 660-947-3361 and make sure to leave a message if I do not answer. 

Thank you!

Kellyn A. Wickert, M.A., CCC-SLP