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This Sunday’s Tribune Lifestyle section had a great article on fun non-tech stuff to do with kids.  Based on a book called “150+Screen-Free Activities For Kids”, by former science teacher, Asia Citro, these activities are hands on fun for these cold and house bound days!  Follow this link for directions! http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-fam-1230-screen-free-fun-20141223-story.html

The Chicago Children’s Museum hosts monthly events for children with special needs on the second Saturday of each month.  The museum opens an hour early for preregistered guests to enjoy the many multi-sensory exhibits and programs. Follow this link to download the Museum’s guide to using it’s resources to address your child’s individual therapeutic goals. Click here to download the Therapeutic Play Guide.  For program registration information:  http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/index.php/about/accessibility-inclusion  

Have you ever heard of a Hink Pink?  It’s a word puzzle that targets vocabulary with rhymes and synonyms.  See if you can solve the Hink Pinks or create your own Hink Pink. http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/activities-projects/think-hink-pinks-30651.html?main-tab=2#tabs

Parents often report that their child has a difficult time sharing experiences.  Retelling a story requires an individual to apply complex linguistic rules, recall information, and formulate in real time.  A break down can happen at various different levels.  Next time your child begins to retell a story or experience, listen for the following linguistic elements. Sequencing Ability Is the story order appropriate or jumbled up? Working Memory Is the child using enough details? Are these details relevant to the story? Grammar Does the sentence structure contains errors such as run-on sentences or incorrectly produced words Is the child using temporal markers and cohesive ties to connect the story together Is the child’s sentence complexity adequate for their age? Vocabulary

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