Spring is in the air! With social distancing rules in place, many of us are anxious to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Here are some fun and easy ways to stay safe, work on speech and language goals, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Many neighborhoods have started fun “I spy” activities by placing a variety of things such as bears, signs, stickers, etc. in their windows. This activity is a great way for you and your family to get out and use those language skills! You can target labeling, describing (e.g., what does the item in the widow look like), comparing/contrasting (e.g., how is this item the same/different from the item in the house next door), sequencing (e.g., create a list and/or recall the items you found in order after you’ve finished your scavenger hunt), prepositions (e.g., the bear is in the window, the sign is in front of the house, etc.) and more! If your neighborhood has already started this, challenge your child to get creative and think of new items or themes for the neighborhood to use each week. If your neighborhood hasn’t done this yet, see if you and your child can help organize a weekly neighborhood window hunt.
Similarly, you can enjoy a nature walk through your neighborhood while hunting for new bugs and animals as the temperatures transition from winter to spring. Make some DIY binoculars using two empty toilet paper rolls. On your walk, talk about the different bugs and animals that you see. This is a great way to work on labeling, compare/contrast, describing, prepositions, and more!
Get out and get dirty in the garden! Now is a great time to practice following directions and sequencing while adding to your home garden or even just in a single pot! You can use this opportunity to learn a new skill, practice new vocabulary, work on following directions by giving your child step by step instructions, and practice recall and sequencing by having your child tell you the steps once they are done planting. Have fun learning to water the plants as they grow while continuing to target following directions and sequencing. Have your child describe and draw pictures of the flower as it grows.
Need some new book ideas? Here is a list of some fun Spring books!
- In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick! By Lucille Colandro
- Worm Weather by Jean Taft
- If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
- Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson
- Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
- Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
- Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
- When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
- Fancy Nancy: Spring Fashion Fling by Jane O’Connor
In need of virtual book resources? Be sure to check out the following offers…
- StoryLine Online has books read by actors
- Vooks is offering teachers a free year subscription and parents a free month subscription
- Prime Reading from Amazon gives Prime members access to some ebooks for free
- Don’t forget to check out your local library online for ebooks!
- DC Public Library is offering online storytime on Facebook live; check their website for more info
And of course, support local when you can! Some of our local book stores are delivering for free.
