Category: blog

Below are some fun fall themed erase-a-rhymes. They are a great way to target rhyming, following directions, parts of a whole, and vocabulary. To play, the parent draws the complete image on a white board or chalk board. Then read the rhyme line by line, letting your child fill in the missing rhyming word and erase it from the image. An older child could attempt to create their own! Scarecrow Erase-A-Rhyme If you stuff him, he’ll be fat. Now you must erase his (hat). If you like those pumpkin pies, then you can erase his (eyes). If he grins like a crocodile, then you should erase his (smile). If he scares away the crows, then you can erase his (nose). If

“I need help with my homework!” is likely a phrase you will be hearing soon.  Be proactive and set up your homework routine now.  The following suggestions may help improve your method and make homework completion a smooth process.  It also supports executive functioning skills and independence. Set a time: Pick a time and stick with it.  But remember, school is taxing and requires significant attention and energy, especially for children who struggle with language, social situations, remaining focused, etc., so allow your child some down time first. Pick a place: Chose a place free from distraction and noise.  The kitchen table is frequently a study zone, but if dinner is being made simultaneously you may want to reconsider.  With

Why is it important to teach multiple meaning words? http://www.connectionsacademy.com/blog/posts/2014-01-18/Finding-the-Right-Words-Helping-Kids-Build-Vocabulary.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Virtual+Learning+Connections

A Project for all ages and skills There is nothing more exciting than opening your mailbox and seeing a beautiful postcard from someplace interesting!  Here are some ways to help your child make post cards to describe their summer while also targeting speech and language skills.  It is a great activity with multimodality learning opportunities including writing, verbal expression, and drawing. Start with large index cards.  On the back instruct your child where the mailing address, return address, and stamps should be located.  Provide lines to write in narrative.  Then start getting creative… Speech:  Have your child determine a preferred activity or event from this summer.  Choose some relevant words incorporating speech targets and have your child draw a picture

http://makezine.com/craft/how-to-banana-dolphin-snacks/

Lip Rounding and Strength: Have a table top soccer game! Use a straw to blow a ping pong ball across a small table into your opponent’s goal (made from any small box in your recycling bin). Language Processing (older clients): Describe the rules of soccer. Discuss game plays using an IF/THEN formant to determine possible outcomes. Don’t know the rules??? Look online and have your child retell the rules. Articulation: Choose some frequently occurring soccer words that include sounds your child is currently targeting to include in your soccer match. Use sandbox buckets or other easily accessible markers to create a goal. Then let the shoot off begin! The parent is the goalie with the child earning a kick for

Did you know that June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month?  What a great time to plant a few vegetables in a pot!  Gardening is a great language enrichment activity with the added bonus of health eating! When you plant a seed or seedling, you can enhance vocabulary, learn a sequence of events, and practice describing by attribute. Check out this link to the Chicago Botanic Garden for more information: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/gardening_children

Did you know May is Better Speech and Hearing month?  To participate, I encourage you to have Speak Week.  The purpose is to support conversations by decreasing texting, emailing, instant messaging, and facebook.  Instead you are encouraged to have real conversations face to face, on the phone, or via skype.  You may be thinking, WHY??? There are many benefits of having “real” conversations!!!   Socially, so much can be lost and misinterpreted in written messages (even with emoticons).  Think about the look on someone’s face when you share something important.  It’s priceless, right?  Or think about the importance of the tone of voice or casual sign when on the phone with a friend.  It provides you important pragmatic clues about your

  With spring break quickly approaching you may be starting to wonder, “What are we going to do for a whole week?”  Spring break can be complicated to plan for because of the weather.  It may be too cold, wet, or muddy for outdoor activities but not cold enough for the outdoor adventures that winter offers.  The following is a spring mix so you have a plan when the kids say, “I’m bored.” 1. Get in the kitchen Kids love to get in the kitchen and help cook, so let them! Not only will they be more apt to try what you make together, but they also can learn valuable life lessons about feeding themselves.  For younger kids, try making

The use of a cell phone is an integral part of our daily routine, but it’s slowly changing the way people communicate.  We can check emails, make phone calls, send pictures, etc. all in a matter of seconds, but fail sometimes to be present in the moment.   Have you ever sat in a crowded room and observed the number of individuals with their heads bent down looking at their phones possibly getting a neck cramp?  Teaching cell phone etiquette may be an opportunity to slow down for a minute and reconnect with your child at the end of the day.  I came across this article that suggests ideas to teach cell phone etiquette for teenagers, but thought we all may