Lights, Camera, Idol!

If you're looking for a surefire way to get some great language out of even the most difficult kiddos, take my advice on this one: give them a microphone. This is Preschool Idol.

We're studying Fine Arts and taking the Idol stage to showcase all sorts of music and performing skills. I've heard some unique, confident, and fabulous renditions of the ABCs, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." I'm also targeting voice projection, social skills such as listening and turn-taking and giving compliments, and, for some of my little friends, just general TALKING.

We start by planning out our costumes (sequencing and describing), primping and dressing (motor and self-help skills), and choosing a talent. I created a little back-stage dressing station that includes a full-length mirror and costumes including mini sport coats and ties, tutus, masks, feather boas, and funny glasses. The action that takes place around the mirror alone is priceless.

Preschoolers explore various instruments (our repertoire includes jingle sticks, tambourines, a keyboard-turned-grand-piano, triangles, and castanets), and vocabulary practice includes labeling both the instruments and their associated actions; How does a tambourine make noise? What do you use to play a triangle?

We created our stage using large, wooden hallow blocks and I manipulated some red bulletin board paper into curtains, tied back with yellow ribbon. The "piano" is an electric keyboard (with the volume button taped into a set position) placed on top of some play kitchen furniture, turned on its side to make a bench, and covered in black paper. My coworker added a music stand and students choose their song inspiration from a basket of visuals representing familiar tunes. Post-performance includes applause and a shower of roses. And paparazzi. I just can't stop taking pictures of these little superstars.

How are you using music to inspire communication?

Baby, it's (still) cold outside!

In the mountains we may be doing snow dances on the ski slopes (boooo), but in preschool we're getting cozy and trying to enjoy the rest of winter Dramatic Play style! This year we brought the outdoors in and combined a cozy cabin with some sledding and ice skating fun.

I rolled up big sheets of brown butcher paper like ribbon candy and used a stapler to attach it to a large piece of cardboard for our little log cabin entrance. Inside, students are cooking up some hot cocoa while we work on sequencing, peer interactions, and concepts of "hot" vs. "cold."

We made our little cocoa station using empty hot chocolate containers, spoons, mugs, and white pom pom balls for marshmallows. Some of my team members were kind enough to lend their thermoses and we've had a bit of a tailgate at the ice rink...

To create an ice skating rink, I used four pieces of white poster board, rounded the outside corners, sprayed with adhesive, and coated them liberally with blue and silver glitter before running each through the laminator. The four boards are attached together using clear packing tape and the whole "rink" is stuck to the carpet with velcro. We then created "ice skates" using paper plates and more packing tape and we've been working on our winter s-blends. So easy and my students are seriously loving it.

I target size concepts, comparatives and superlatives, pronouns, and following directions while preschoolers work together to build a snowman. We spray-painted cardboard boxes for stacking and punched holes for buttons and facial features (we found a kit at the dollar store, similar available here and here). How cute is this spontaneous snow-woman?

 

This unit I am learning that sometimes the simplest, least expensive things can make for a lot of play and creativity. What kind of winter fun are you getting into this January?

Something in my Pocket

There's just something about rhythm and a catchy tune that leads to retention for little ones. My predecessor introduced us to this song and I recreated it for my classrooms. 

We're currently using it to practice vocabulary (related to our unit theme and book; "Winter" and "The Mitten," respectively) pre-literacy skills, and syllable segmentation as a large group. However, I can put anything in the pocket to target a variety of skills: articulation, Letter of the Week words and pictures, name recognition (show just the first letter, "L" for....), sight words, etc. 

Sang (chanted?) to the tune of "Tiny Tim the Turtle," patting knees in rhythm:

        

I pull the words out slowly, emphasizing each syllable separately and pausing between. Progressively, I shorten the pause between syllables until preschoolers guess the word. Then, I flip it over to show the picture ("Was s/he right? RAB-BIT, Rabbit! It's a ...!") and we clap out the syllables together.

My song chart is half of a piece of poster board, laminated, with the words printed and glued on the bottom. I printed the pocket on cardstock and laminated it separately. The pocket is attached with clear packing tape, top end left open. I made the words size 2"x8" and printed them double-sided.

Find the template here (you will need Boardmaker to open this file).

But - ter - fly

We're working on syllables and segmentation as part of the preschool general education curriculum and I've been correcting some related phonological patterns.

I've been pulling pictures and objects from a variety of activities to target multisyllabic words and I typically pair the words with a motor movement cue (usually hand-claps). However, I am ready to start fading cues for some of my little friends and I needed a picture card set specifically targeting two, three, and four syllable words.

I included dots below each butterfly to indicate syllable number. I arrange my prompting hierarchy to fade from full motor (clapping or finger-tapping) to tactile (touching each dot) to visual and then I can cover the dots completely when appropriate.

We've also discovered a few words for which my team has been vehemently debating the syllable count. Epenthesis, anyone?

If you use my butterflies, please take a second to say so and let me (or rather, my wonderful teammate) know below: how many syllables are in the name "Kyle"?

My Fav *affordable* Apps for Preschool

Last year, my department provided each preschool team with an iPad - yay! It arrived, however, preloaded with apps, most of which were geared toward a more advanced population, and with ties to an iTunes account that we could not access - bummer, right? Perhaps due mainly to my lack of techno-savvy, it spent most of last year acting as a glorified camera. How's that for a confession?

I have since overcome the iTunes issue, and this (albiet expensive) little tool has quickly become my new best friend. I am sharing a list of some of my personal favorite iPad apps for preschool speech and language for those of you, like me, who have no idea where to begin...

Articulation Station Pro ($49.99) 

Okay, I know I said, "affordable," and yes, I'm contradicting immediately with a splurge, but I promise it's the only one and worth the price. This is my most-used app and by far my favorite for articulation. Contains virtual flashcards that depict high-quality, real-life photos (great for an added vocabulary bonus) and allows you to work in all positions at word, sentence, and story levels. Data collection/progress tracking also embedded.

iSequences ($2.99)

I use this app to work on "first, next, then, last," sequencing language and it throws in some extras such as emotions ("How will __ feel?") and prediction ("What happens next?"). It's customizable so that I can preselect the sequences that will be presented.

Furry Friend (Free)

Meet Lenord. My preschoolers love that he can hear them talk and will repeat back everything they say (great for working on intelligibility and MLU). This furry friend comes with a collection of silly little activities: he blows bubbles (pop them), eats a sandwich, and has a pinwheel (make it spin). Plus, he's highly ticklish. I use it mainly for reinforcement and communication temptation.

What Doesn't Belong? Fun Deck ($1.99)

One of many apps from Super Duper - behold, Fun Decks in electronic form. This app is great for working on receptive and expressive categories; I turn the sound off and also use it for object-function and wh- questions. Data collection embedded.

ABA Problem Solving Game - Which Go Together? ($1.99)

Students choose pairs of pictures (field of four) that go together. I also like it to target functional vocabulary, object-function, categories, etc. Higher level "why?" component is also available.

Action Words (Free)

Presents sets of four photographs depicting present progressive verbs for receptive identification. I turn the sound off and use this app to work on expressive he/she pronouns and -ing endings. Settings allow me to select or deselect specific verbs depending on the client.

Time Timer ($2.99)

This is my most-recommended app for parents. Time is such an abstract concept for preschoolers and the visual of, "When the red is all gone..." literally allows children to watch time pass, making it so much more concrete. I use this app (and my actual visual timer) in the classroom constantly.

Comparative Adjectives (Free)

Great for work on adjectives, comparative and superlative morphemes (-er, -est), this app is a simple comparison of real-life pictures and provides immediate feedback.

ABA Receptive Identification - FFC Combined ($0.99)

Receptive identification of photographs based on feature ("Show me the one that has a tail"), function ("Touch the one that you sit on"), or class ("Where is the farm animal?"). Also provides verbal labels for each item and tracks responses/accuracy.

Play123 (Free)

This app is very cause-and-effect, and I use it with my youngest clients. I like it for following directions, practicing shapes and colors, and prewriting strokes. It also includes some opportunities to target prepositions and introduce some basic concepts.

This is by no means a comprehensive list - I'd love to hear how you are learning to incorporate iPad technology into therapy. What are your must-have apps for early childhood?

Many Merry Mittens

For a previous Winter unit, one of my coworkers printed a collection of various mittens from Google Images and used them to work on adjectives and describing. I loved the idea, but wanted to change up the images to make the activity a little more versatile with matching pairs. So I designed my own mittens and I'm using them to target language concepts including same vs. different, descriptive words, and interrogatives, as well as identifying shapes and colors.

For a transition activity, preschoolers draw a mitten and practice describing, "My mitten is..." or receptive identification, "Find the mitten that is..."

I can scaffold this activity by adapting the language to suit various levels (big polkadots vs. little ones, hearts vs. three hearts, etc). We're also developing visual memory, turn-taking, and the concepts of 'same' and 'different.' I choose three or more pairs and lay them face down in rows on the table for a mitten memory match: 

Players take turns flipping over and describing two mittens in search of a pair. If a set is made, the player keeps it. If they are not a match, both mittens are turned back over. When the cards are all gone, the player with the most pairs wins.

I printed a second copy to use for "Go Fish," which is great for working on asking questions, yes/no responding, identifying shapes and colors, using and understanding adjectives.

I'm sharing my mittens here. Let me know below if you grab them.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

As we wrap up the madness of state reporting and parent-teacher conferences (is anyone else ready for a break?), we're also gearing up for a new thematic unit. I'm always excited about starting a new unit; after a few weeks, the old one tends to get, well, old. Plus, we'll be reading The Three Bears, a personal favorite.

This classic story lends itself really well to sequencing and retell and I specifically target descriptors and comparative adjectives. I love the simple, colorful illustrations in this version, and my preschoolers love the little token of presence that Goldilocks leaves at the foot of Baby Bear's bed.


We're bringing the story to life and working on language objectives (more info about my service delivery model in this previous post) at Dramatic Play.

On one side of the center, we set up Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear's beds. I painted the headboards onto posterboard and laminated them with visuals for their corresponding occupants and opposites. Papa Bear's "too hard" bed is without padding, while Mama Bear's "too soft" one is cushioned with a pillow, wrapped and covered in blankets.

Preschoolers assume the character roles, designated by these no-eye-coverage-required masks that one of my teammates made by hot gluing laminated pictures of the three bears (similar here and here) onto foam visors. Goldilocks is a headband covered in yellow felt and adorned with yellow yarn braids. We also included a blazer and tie for Papa Bear, an apron for Mama, baseball cap for Baby, and dress for Goldilocks. 

Our little "cottage" has a full kitchen stocked with dishes, empty miniature cereal boxes (identifying environmental print), milk, and oatmeal ("porridge") containers. I used Boardmaker visuals to label the porridge bowls, chairs, beds, and bins for clean-up. 

I believe that repetition and experience impart saliency for little ones; using a story to segue into assuming roles and modifying play ideas leads to lots of interaction and expanded language, particularly for children demonstrating difficulties with abstract play or those with limited vocabulary and verbal delays. Books can be acted out in play across environments. How do you make literacy experiential? What are your "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" favorites?

Quick Picture Artic

Trying to incorporate articulation therapy into the preschool classroom setting (I don't do any pull-out) is challenging and sometimes the best-laid plans fall through. I'm always looking for a quick grab-and-go artic activity to chart a few data points. I've generated a collection of preschool-vocabulary-friendly picture worksheets that I tend to use in a pinch.

/p/, /t/, /k/, /g/, /f/, /s/, /z/, s-blends, "j", "ch", "sh", /l/

In the classroom, I keep copies to snag pictures for a variety of activities. I have a set that I made into replacement cards for my Cariboo game (I know it's out of production, but I LOVE this game for artic practice with little ones). For some quick practice, they make great placemats for snack (we put snack items on the pictures). I also share them with parents for at-home practice with a letter outlining suggestions for use, including:

• Color, cut, and glue. Practice saying each word as your color, cut out, or glue pictures to make a collage or piece of artwork.
• Turn the worksheet into a parking lot for matchbox cars. Name the picture on which you park.
• Cut out two sets of the cards, flip them upside down, and play “Memory.” Limit the number of pairs that you present at a time so that your child can be successful.
• Play “Bingo.” Give clues describing the picture and have the child name the item before placing a marker on each one.
• Roll a die and place the corresponding number of (dried noodles, pennies, beans, poker chips) on the pictures. Say the name of each one as you cover it. Win the game by filling up the whole board.
• Go on a scavenger hunt. Hide the pictures around the room and name each one as you find them.
• Play “I Spy."
• Incorporate the pictures into another board game (I like Crocodile Dentist, Don’t Spill the Beans, Jenga, Connect Four). Have your child say a word before each turn.
• Create a Grab-Bag or Surprise Sound Box: Cut out the pictures and have your child pull them out of the box. Find actual items from around your house to mix in! Make it even more fun and fill your box with dried rice or beans.
• Carry a set of words with you to pull out during waiting times at the doctor, restaurants, etc.
• Cut out the cards and use them to play “Go Fish."
• Stick stickers on each picture. Have your child tell you where they are going to place or where they put their stickers.

What else would you add to the list?

Chocolate Chip Categories

I have a whole group of little ones working on categories or related vocabulary objectives and many of these overlap with my ECSE's goals for colors and shapes. I created this cookie category sort so that we can multitask on some of those objectives...

Students name the items and sort cookies onto their corresponding category cookie sheets using a spatula (bonus motor component). I put the printed cookie sheet mats on real cookie sheets to make it a little bit more fun and realistic. For a table-top activity, students can pull cookies out of a cookie jar for sorting rather than using the spatula.

Additionally, I can use the cookies to target following directions, wh- questions, and descriptive vocabulary objectives. Instead of using the cookie sheet mats, I lay out a whole bunch of cookies, give the student a spatula and an empty cookie sheet, and play, "I Spy." We can also play as a game with two students: whoever scoops the cookie up first keeps it on their tray; the student with the most cookies at the end is the winner.

You can grab copies of my category cookies and trays here and here. Please leave a comment if you download. I'd love to hear how else you use them.

Autumn (not so) Messy Table

Fall is in full-swing and we are getting ready for some Halloween fun this week! Typically there is a lot of planning and executing that takes place at the beginning of a new unit, and then I get to spend some time collecting data and enjoying new activities and materials. :)

This is what's going on at our ever-popular Messy Table...

We filled our water tables with wood pellets ($4.00 for 40lbs at Home Depot; reusable and smells good too!) to create an autumn farm scene that includes pumpkins, gourds, fake plants, animals, tractors, farmers, and scarecrows. We're working on theme-related vocabulary, prepositions, attributes, and wh- questions, among other language objectives.

Quick and easy to put together and so fun! Sensory experiences lend themselves to the elicitation of great spontaneous language and we're always looking for new, innovative materials to put in our 'Messy Table'. What are your favorite mediums?

Caboose Sounds

Final consonant deletion is currently trending on my caseload. I created this activity with a certain little one in mind, but what preschooler doesn't love trains?

The purpose of the activity is to target minimal pairs. We talk about trains and how each one has a special car that always rides on the end: the caboose. Then I explain that some words have a special "caboose sound" too. If we forget the caboose sound, people might think we are talking about something else.

There are two sets of cards. Train Cards carry words that have caboose sounds...

... and Coal Cards carry words that do not. The object is to collect train cards to build a loooong train behind your engine (I draw or put a picture of the client in as the conductor), but you have to remember the caboose sound or you'll end up with a piece of coal in your rock pile instead - bummer!

There are other variations for the cards. Sometimes we work on auditory discrimination where I say the words and the student guesses whether they heard the "train" word or the "coal" word.

What language do you use to talk about final consonant deletion with little ones?

Camp Preschool

The kids in one of my classrooms are packing their bags, coolers, and flashlights and camping out! Well, pretending anyway.

One of my coworkers was kind enough to lend her tent and our team set it up in the Dramatic Play center. The tent is equipped with two sleeping bags, flashlights, and a box of books related to our current unit theme.

We also added a DIY Coleman camp stove and created a little miniature campfire for grilling lots of play food. Preschoolers work on sequencing ("first, next, then, last") and giving/following directions while making s'mores. During play, I can get in some great wh- questions; these are probably some of the easiest goals to address in an inclusive setting.

The "camp stove" was made using green poster board and some clear packing tape to attach an inexpensive wire cooling rack. I glued on circles (included in the set of visuals below) to indicate where the condiments belong. The campfire consists of two real pieces of cut wood with crumpled paper for the "flame". We used packing tape to enclose it so that the pretend food would sit easily on top.

As always, I labeled bins holding materials with Boardmaker pics to help address vocabulary objectives and show students where items belong during clean-up. I am big on visuals for many reasons, but mainly because most of my population is not reading yet. We're also working on receptive and expressive categories and sorting at our little campsite.

Sometimes it's fun to do some articulation therapy or other small-group/one-on-one practice in the tent (try using the flashlights as pointers!).  What's more motivating than a little change of scenery?