The Wheels on the Bus

 Here are some fun and cute activities that you can use with The Wheels on the Bus theme!😊

To make it fun, we need to incorporate many areas: play, hands-on learning, interactive, etc. Some of the activities are even appropriate for teletherapy!

 I have incorporated many activities in this pack, fine motor skills, language skills, language centers and below is a fun video you can watch. You will also want to do the hand motions too!

Early Intervention

Recently, I read that it takes 4 times longer to work on language skills with a 4th grader than when working with a preschooler!

"According to research, learning and development are at their highest rate in the preschool years. Early intervention is forward looking, even into adulthood.  It has been shown that Early Intervention therapies do far more than provide for immediate benefits during the developmental years.  They significantly increase the child’s ability to integrate in future social environments, including school, community, and ultimately employment."

With that being said, many of our staff who work in preschool centers, and daycare need some additional information and support on how to incorporate language in everday situations. Many preschool teachers want to work on letters, letter sounds and even sight words! No!!! Start with those early concepts (in, on, under, beside, etc.), vocabulary (naming items, their category names, and describing how items are associated),  following directions, reading and MOST IMPORTANTLY- FREE PLAY!!! Just let them play! :)

I have made an Early Intervention Pack for staff who work kids- you can check it out here! 

You can get my Early Intervention Pack here- with everything you see here and MORE!

 

Community Helper preschool Pack

  

Hello!
I will be starting to work with a new group of preschoolers who have severely delayed language skills so I needed a pack, QUICK! I wanted something that would promote free play, build vocabulary, social skills and gross motor skills. I got my butt in gear and made this pack! It is based on community helpers. This pack is specifically designed for preschoolers who have language delays. The purpose is to increase vocabulary and social skills as well as creating a language rich environment in the preschool room. I have activities that do target letters and letter sounds, however, this focus of this pack is not to teach literacy and phonics but to be more of an introduction to literacy and language to kids who have had little exposure. (That is why not all of the letters are included.) 

Included is a weekly, step by step plan!

Also, I believe that free play is very important for children. There are a lot of “text” based activities but please allow the children time to play, freely. I do have a few text based activities but I really wanted to focus on natural language exposure and a natural environment.

Here are just a few of the items you can expect!

I have added a few pages for a restaurant center.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Thanks!
mindy@creatingcommunicators.net

Why aren't they talking?

 Promoting communication in children!

Many people believe that to teach children language skills  you need to sit down and get out the flashcards! Nothing could be farther from the truth. Anything you do during the day, including routine activities, can be an opportunity to provide a language rich environment for your child.

graphics by: my cute graphics.

Use bath time as a time to talk with your:

Baby

· talk about anything

· Label body parts

· Label items in and around the bathroom

· Follow what your baby’s interested in– play with what they like to play with.

Toddler

· Use short phrases  2-3 words.

· Use on, off, two, feet, hands, colors, and describing words—wet, dry, in, out, etc.

· Repeat the same words at least 5 times.

Preschooler

· Label sequences; first we put the water in the bath tub then we get in, etc.

· Ask open ended questions– not yes no questions. This will help to keep the conversation going!

         The first step to improving your child’s language skills is to observe them! Watch what they like to do and what interests them. Which toys, books and activities they play with the most and then talk about those items.

The second step is to Wait!

When they are talking don’t interrupt them and when you are waiting for a response– wait at least 5-10 seconds.

They may seem like very simple, easy skills but when you focus on them you realize how much you actually don’t use these techniques!

Check out this link for development norms for children.

Have fun!
Mindy

Using book to increase language skills

Tips for using books to increase

Speech and language skills of preschooler and school aged children

USing books to help with children's speech and langauge skills is a great and easy way to target their goals.

What should your child be able to do? Check out the talk box for milestones of children!

How to target Speech and languagethru books!

• Copy- copy children’s actions and words- this lets them know that you are interested in what they say and what they do. Encourage discussion, ask open ended questions.

• Model- use correct grammar and pronunciation of words- all the time. If someone is using incorrect grammar or incorrect pronunciation of sounds- don’t tell them they are “wrong” instead just provide them with a model of the sentence/word said correctly. For example “I runned there” you can say “ohh you ran there.” Or “I wike rabbits” you can say “you like rabbits.”

• Add- when you are talking about things with the children- describe them in as much detail as you can. Name the parts, where it lives, what it does, the group it belongs to, what we do with it, what it looks like, etc.

·       By reading slowly to the class, with emphasis on certain words, children are able to listen more intently and follow the story. Children will also gain an understanding of how to pronounce words and will be more attentive. 

    

    Make sure that everyone can see your mouth when you speak.

·       When you read a book – don’t just read it. Encourage open discussions and talk about the pictures if the text is too long for their attention span.

·       Don’t be afraid to read a book at least 4-5 times. They won’t get bored and the more you read it, the more learning they will get out of it! Search the net for coloring pages and other ideas to turn books into activities. For more information check this out!

Working with children

•     It is a good idea to give children positive statements about their work, which will encourage them to think more positively about themselves. Instead of saying “don’t ___” say “I really like it when you are trying”.

•   Treat the children with respect and value their opinions. Teach them to have a “voice.” Encourage them to speak and don’t interrupt. 

• Teach taking turns and providing choices whenever possible.

• Speak to children at their level- actually get down and sit on the floor or squat when you are speaking with them. It’s important that they see your mouth.

• Make books fun!

Cheers,
Mindy

Teachers Notebook

Creating Communicators sale!!

 

Missed my Teacherspayteachers sale? 

I am having another sale on TeacherNotebook!

Please, don't forget to follow my shop and check out all of my products!

Here is an example of one my products that targets following directions using concepts.

My Back to School Giveaway

My new language activity centers- a must have for every classroom! 

I have created great language center's for every month from September to December that focus on prepositions, rhyming, following directions and pronouns. Some of the things all classrooms, especially kindergarten rooms, need. I tried to focus each center on things that we seem to target a lot in the speech world. The best thing about this package is it is child lead! You can model the activity once for your students and then let them play! Let's face it were busy, and we need help! 

So here it is! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Preschool children :

• 3 & 4 year old's learn best when they are moving. Adults learn best when sitting down and concentrating. This is NOT true for children. If they want to stand, walk, jump, play with a fidget toy, make crafts, listen to stories, and/or sing, let them.

Kids learn best through playing– let kids be kids!
The more senses they use the more they will learn and retain the information. A 3 year old child should not be expected to sit down and be quiet for long periods of time.

• Your 3 year old…

will say 3 to 4 words together - I want juice. Follows 3-part directions, like get the doll, feed it, and put it to bed. Understands and asks questions, like Where is the toy?
Describes activities, feelings and problems, and tells simple stories.

• Your 4 year old…

Uses sentences that are longer and more complete, such as “I want to go to the park.” 
Uses more grammar, like pronouns (I, you, me, she, he, we), past tense (walked), and some question words (what, who, where, why). However there may still be some errors.
Most 4 year old's do not know how to share. It is a skill they are still learning– please be patient.
Articulation

• Your 3 year old…
  Uses sounds like m, p, b, w, t, d, n, h, k, g, f, s, vowels, y as in yes, and ing as in sing.
  Is understood by parents between 75 to 100% of the time. 
• Your 4 year old…
  Uses sounds like m, p, b, w, t, d, n, h, k, g, f, y, l, s, z, vowels, and ing.
  Is understood by parents 100% of the time.
• Your 5 year old…
  Says most sounds correctly except for maybe r, v, ch, and th.
  Uses l blends and s blends, such as blue and stop.
  May say s, z, sh, ch, or j with the tongue sticking out (a lisp).
  Is easily understood by siblings, friends, parents, and strangers.
•  Modeling correct speech and grammar is great tool parents can use when speaking with their kids!

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Information excerpts taken from www.parentlink.com - talkbox