There are many activities that can help build communication and language skills. Click on your favourite activity to see some ideas.
How to Sing Together
- Begin with songs that you know well
- Slow down and say the words clearly
- Emphasize important words, actions and signs
- Use facial expression and vary your voice
- Make sure to pause and let your child take a turn during the song
Examples of Songs with Communication Boards
Video-Do you like broccoli?
Communication board- Do you like broccoli?
Video-I like to eat
Communication board-I like to eat
Video-If you’re happy and you know it
Communication board-If you are Happy and You Know It
Video-Let’s Go Song
Handouts:
Fun with Music and Songs
Song Ideas
Reading together is one of the best activities that you can do with a child of any age.
- You don’t have to read the words. Change the words and use language that children understand. Talk about the pictures and actions in the book.
- Don’t just read the book. Use different voices, fun words, make sounds, facial expressions, gestures and actions to make the story come alive.
- Follow the child’s lead. Don’t rush. Give the child time to look, talk about the pictures, point to the pictures and/or picture symbols or ask questions. Wonder aloud what may happen next.
- Pause and let the child join in with repeated words, actions or phrases.
Handouts:
How to-Read Together
How to Read Stories with Core Words
The Hungry Bear Story
Video-Reading The Hungry Bear with Core Words
How to read The Hungry Bear with Core words
The Hungry Bear Book
Communication board-The Hungry Bear
Dear Zoo Story
Video-Reading Dear Zoo with Core Words
Dear Zoo book
Communication board-Dear Zoo
Simple Emotions Stories:
How to-Read the emotions stories
A Scary Story
Birthday Party Surprises
Hot Dog Woes
Ice Cream Friends
Needles and Fries
Spider Chase
A Bone to Pick
Sock Pull
Ball Game
Playing Together-Make It Fun!
- Get face to face with your child.
- Observe what your child likes to play with and watch what they do with it.
- Wait for them to show you how they like to play. Comment about what they are doing but do not tell them what to do.
- Join in the play by copying their actions or sounds.
- Interpret your child’s message.
- Add new words and ideas to what they are saying or showing you.
- Extend the play by showing new ways to use toys and objects.
Video-How to Play Games with Core
Handouts:
How to-Let’s Play Together
How to-Play with Household Objects
Toys that Inspire Communication
Using Core Words while Playing With Toys
What if My Child Doesn’t Like Things
What's Cooking?
- Have the ingredients hidden in a paper or cloth bag, so your child can use 'what' or 'look.'
- Create opportunities for your child to use ‘help’ with making a recipe together.
- Encourage your child to tell you ‘ready’ or ‘do more’ as you make the recipe.
- Stop while you are adding ingredients, cutting or stirring and encourage your child to signal “more” or ‘stop’.
- While making something and at the end of the activity, talk about whether you ‘like it’ or ‘don’t like’ , if it is ‘good’ or ‘not good. ’.
Handout:
Let’s Cook Together.
Making Teddy Toast
Video-Making Teddy Toast
How to Make Teddy Toast with Core Words
Ingredients & Directions for Making Teddy Toast
Making Teddy Toast Together Book
Simple Recipes: