Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Prepositions


I came up with this simple game to work on prepositions using different Christmas items. I have used this as a fun little card game with some of my kindergarten-aged kiddos. I take the first row of cards (i.e Present, Rudolph, and Christmas tree) and they get the second row (Bow, Nose, and Star). They have to match up the cards by using the correct preposition (i.e. The bow goes on the present). You can add or remove cards depending on your kiddo's abilities. I’m sure there many ways to be creative (I usually make up my own rules to just about every game played in my therapy room). Some other idea could include vocabulary, simple sentence formation, and describing. 



Ready, Set, Christmas

My supervisor developed a series of “Ready, Set…” books for bunch of different holidays. I have started using her ideas to put together my own set. With a lot of help from my very talented cousin, I put together “Ready, Set, Christmas.” My cousin Rebecca did a wonderful job on all the graphics (I also snagged just a few from the mycutegraphics website too).
The book requires a little assembling. I laminate all the pages to keep everything from ripping. Cut out all the graphic squares on the icon pages and attach them to the template page (the page of empty boxes). Sticky back Velcro works perfect! I attached some photos to show how I arrange the book pages.
It has been a fun way to target various vocabulary as well as expressive and receptive language. The repetitive sentences support formulating complete sentences and sentence structure. You can also work on expressive language by matching up the correct pictures to the correct requests. If a field of 8 choices is too many, just reduce the amount of icons on a page.
At the very end, you can put your kiddo’s selections into their very own story. I have been making copies so they can take it home and share with their family. 
 



Sunday, December 9, 2012

Oh Christmas Tree

This past week I used my Christmas tree in therapy. I just painted a tree on some card stock and then ran it through the laminator. I used the same box that was used for the apple tree and taped on the card stock. The ornaments are from the 1 spot at Target. Since the ornaments are made of plastic they can handle being bounced (or thrown). I found the Christmas lights and candy cane graphics from mycutegraphics.com. It was a fun way to work on therapy goals while getting into the Christmas spirit. I targeted prepositions (on top, in the middle, or bottom of the tree). I also worked on holiday vocabulary and following directions (i.e. “put the sparkly pink ornament on top”). For my articulation kiddos, I used the tree as a reinforcement activity.