I love to read books that connect language with art. A Day With No Crayons is a clever story about a little girl who-you guessed it–lost the use of her crayons for the day. This would be a great book for an art teacher to use to introduce colors. Little Liza loved apricot, fuchsia, tickle-me-pink, and screamin’ green. When she ran out of paper, she decided to continue her drawing on the one blank canvas left, the wall. Just like so many kids who lose themselves in the creative moment, little Liza didn’t realize what she was doing. When Mom snatched up her crayons and put them away for the day, Liza couldn’t imagine a day without them. She managed to create her own palate of colors by squeezing the blue toothpaste, dragging muddy feet on a basketball court, and brushing her grass-stained knees. Suddenly she saw color everywhere. By nighttime, when the crayons were to be returned, Liza had so filled her world with color and pattern that she considered going one more day without crayons.
Use the story for prediction. What will happen when Mom sees the wall? Where will Liza find color without crayons? Take a picture walk before reading the story and describe how she got color on the basketball court or made the camels. Make up fun descriptive words to precede the colors just as Liza did with “laser lemon.” Brainstorm, “Where would you go to find color during your day?” Finally, make collage pictures of a face, dog or other object showing that art can happen without crayons.
Tomorrow, March 2, is Read Across America Day, celebrated on Dr. Seuss’ birthday!
What better way to celebrate than to help a child make a book of their very own. Whether you are a parent or a speech therapist, this exercise increases kids’ delight in books and reading. Start with some read-alouds by Dr. Seuss. Depending on the age, a fun one to introduce is Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith. Based on 14 rough drawings and verses left behind when Geisel died, this book was completed in his fashion and is full of Seuss like fun. Once again, the story behind the story is fascinating as editors gathered the drawings and scratched out lines from Geisel’s secretary, revealing the process of his storytelling. I reviewed the story here.
When it’s time to make a book, it can be as simple as stapling a few sheets of paper together to making a book’s covers from a cereal box. Here are detailed directions from alphamom on how to make one with a cover from the Cheerios box.
Use the inside to encourage kids you might be working with on language goals. Write a little story or have them dictate it to you on the computer so you can print it out and glue it in their book. Create a short poem and emphasize rhyming words or add on to a story you have read. Don’t forget to have your little author step in as the illustrator too! Provide lots of markers and colored pencils for the drawings to back up the text.
One of the goals I have for a child I am working with who has autism, is that he tell two things about his school day, when he comes home. We have tried several approaches to help him remember as well as verbalize what he did. Research shows that if you send something concrete home that relates to their day, you are more likely to have him tell about what he did that day–maybe a leaf if they made leaf prints, or a rock if they talked about rocks. I gave that suggestion to the preschool teachers. They also sent notes home about their activities to prompt our discussions. Still, it was very difficult to get him to share his day.
Last week, I was beginning my therapy session when Mom told of a breakthrough. Her son loves sea animals and recently got a stuffed seal from a visit to the aquarium. When he came home from school and re-attached with his seal, Mom asked the seal what he did at school that day. Her son proceeded to tell about several activities from class that morning! In the same way, his pretend play has taken off as he uses a shark or dolphin to act out pretend sequences since that is his preferred toy these days. At times, we have to restrict the use of the shark or dolphin if he is getting too “stuck” on that toy, but there are ways to use his intense interest on a subject to his advantage.
When I was at the Toy Fair last week, I was walking the aisles and noticed a crowd gathering around a man. Of course I had to see who this celebrity was, and there was Bob McGrath, the familiar performer on Sesame Street since the 60’s, signing copies of his “Sing Along With Bob” CD’s for fans.
He graciously posed for a picture with me as I reminisced about collapsing on the couch with my three preschoolers at 4 PM to watch Sesame Street. His recognizable, friendly smile and approachable personality came right through as we chatted about kids and all the media opportunities they have at their disposal these days.
Bob autographed a copy of “Sing Along with Bob #2″ and I went on my way. Today, it was quiet, so I decided to put in Bob’s CD and I went right down memory lane with him! I’m not sure who I will send the first copy to–Great Grandmother who used to sing “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” to my brother and me and end up in fits of laughter or to my preschool gang. “Boom Boom Ain’t It Great to Be Crazy” took me back to overnight camp memories as we used to wail out that song, resonating in the dining hall, stamping our feet to the “booms.” “The Muffin Man” gave me my first nickname, “Muff” because I loved to dance to the beat.
With thirty four short songs, sung in Bob’s clear, inviting voice, this CD should be in every preschool and therapist’s cache of activities. From “Let Everyone Clap Like Me” to “The Hokey Pokey,” there are many interactive songs that teach listening, following directions and imitating. Little ones will get moving and giggle while “shaking out their sillies” and “jumping out their jiggles.” Parents and grandparents will enjoy the intergenerational experience of sharing songs loved over the years.
Thanks, Bob, for the memories!
“Sing Along with Bob #2″ was provided by Bob’s Kids Music. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author.
I find books to be a great language enriching carryover activity for articulation.
Recently I was working on /s/ and /sh/ with several students and used the book, Bright Stanley by Matt Buckingham to provide practice and carryover for the sounds. Stanley and his school of friends with their shimmery scales provide lots of practice for the /s/ and /sh/ sounds. I read the book in sentences and phrases, pausing to let the child repeat after me. If they are at the carryover stage, simply read the book and have them re-tell it using the pictures. Provide an /s/ word or two to get them going if they get stuck. Stanley is on the hunt for his friends who have the same bright, shimmery scales so there is plenty of opportunity to practice thinking skills like prediction, association and cause-effect too.
Afterwards, we made our own Stanley, with lots of markers and glitter glue. This Stanley apparently is such a good swimmer he doesn’t need fins!
It’s almost March and we are having two snowstorms out east this week. So even though I see readers requesting Spring lessons for therapy, I am still literally stuck in the snow! Here are a couple of fun books I used today with kids with language delay and on the autism spectrum:
Snip, Snip…Snow! by Nancy Poydar. Little Sophie is anticipating some snow since she has to wear her heavy jacket with the hood and can see her breath. She stomps inside yelling, “No Snow!” as if her mother is responsible for the absence of fluffy white stuff. Finally she gets a favorable forecast but gets up the next morning to no snow again. Arriving at school, she pleads with her teacher to let the class make their own snow. They get to work folding and snipping and making their own flakes. Amidst the excitement of paper snowflakes flying, they look outside to see…you guessed it–real snow! Add some fun at the end of the story and make your own snowflakes, talking through the steps, or shread paper and make a snowman mosaic like Sophie did in the story for a take home, so kids can re-tell the story to Mom and Dad.
Lucille’s Snowsuit by Kathryn Lasky. Little Lucille is left behind to negotiate her snowsuit while her older siblings get a head start in the snow. So many obstacles to overcome–her boots get stuck, her zipper catches, and then she starts to sweat! (reminds me of me trying to go skiing). Finally she gets out in the snow and realizes that her “babyish” snowsuit is the perfect piece of clothing for fun on a snowy day. This is a fun story to re-tell, talk about categories such as clothes, snow activities etc.
First Snow by Emily Arnold McCully. This wordless picture book is a perfect opportunity to take a picture walk with a child. The mouse family piles their sleds into the back of the pickup truck and takes off for the first snow adventure of the season. Packed with vignettes of getting stuck, trudging through the snow, ice skating, making a snowman, sledding and being courageous, this little tale is great for a language lesson.
Now that I have come back down to earth after racing from one booth to another, and seeing all the fantastic new toys and games that amazingly creative people have produced, I want to share my top picks for the most exciting new products, that offer a language building, creative play value. Note, stay tuned for my full reviews when I have had a chance to get my littlest toy testers to weigh in on these toys and games too! This is the first in a series of blogs about what’s hot this season:
Hasbro:
As I mentioned, I was privileged to be included in a preview of their new products the day before the Toy Fair, at their Bloggers’ Breakfast. Here are some toys to be on the lookout for:
FurReal Friends Furry Frenzies. Six furry animals that look like Littlest Pet Shop meets ZhuZhu pets scurried around so quickly that I had a hard time getting a picture of them! Add some accessories for flexible play, their “Scoot and Scurry City,” and watch the bunny, raccoon, puppy or hedgehog chase up the 
mountain, stop back in town at the Pet Boutique or visit the Ball Park. Playonwords value: Separate play vignettes offer opportunity for conversation by theme, and the many options to come and go through swinging doors and gates provides flexibility of play.
Play-doh Cake Makin’ Station. You know how I love Play-doh for open-ended creative play, building language and conversation. This toy has staying power celebrating its 50th anniversary of the Fun Factory. Take that fun into the bakery as you add toppings at three different “icing” stations. Kids can stamp out fun frosting patterns and add decorations and colorful toppings at subsequent stations. Playonwords value: The creative process invites lots of chat but take your finished creations and have a tea party. Extend the play using your newly made props!
Wheel Pals Mini-Critters. Kids love vehicles and animals so I think Playskool has a winning combination here. I especially liked the mini, squeezable pals, designed for toddlers’ little hands. Add the jungle, arctic or farm-theme playset tracks for fun and exploration. Playonwords value: Big-eyed faces invite conversation and play, so kids can animate their animals.
Littlest Pet Shop Pet Sitters. Blithe and her friends are the first dolls to be introduced to “Littlest Pet Shop,” just in time to do some pet sitting. Much of what I do is teach parents how to select great toys to enhance language development and demonstrate how to maximize pretend play. When I told a mother of a big fan of “Littlest Pet Shop” that the pet sitters had arrived, she said, “It’s about time they had some people!” Playonwords value: Add people to the mix and you have a new level of conversation and pretend play. Pets and people can teach and learn from each other.
I Can Do That Games:
I am constantly amazed at the creativity and ingenuity that is poured into each of this company’s games. They really get the concept of adding language value to their products.
What’s in the Cat’s Hat. Pick a series of cards with questions to ask to narrow down the solution. “Will it float in the bathtub?” Use some deductive reasoning to guess what object your opponent has hidden in the Cat’s Hat. It took me multiple clues to guess the tangerine (I even got to smell it!). Playonwords value: Look at all the language stretching you encourage as you ask questions, rule out solutions by categories (floats, smells) and make your best guess.
Konexi. Having successfully created games for the preschool set, this company introduced it’s new line for 8 years and up, called Zimbala. (Look it up, it’s a surfing word!) Konexi is a lively wooden set of letters that connect if balanced correctly. Score points by making connections for words. Playonwords value: Obviously this game promotes literacy, letter-sound recognition, and blending. It can be adapted to younger children. Stay tuned for my full review. Check out “Splotcha!” and “Thanks a Lot” too.
International Playthings:
Calico Critters Treehouse. Take your critters to a whole new height with this tree of fun than includes two Mango Monkeys, a hot tub, pagoda, water slide and lake for tons of pretend play fun. Enjoy the four spacious rooms, a hot tub, patio, and trap door to the water slide. Playonwords value: Imagination, imagination, talk, talk, talk. Need I say more?
Yookidoo. Giddy Up Gal and Pirate & Pal Play Sets. Yookidoo has become a favorite of kids and parents, 
with it’s inviting faces, bright colors and innovative activities. These gals and pirates are refreshingly new to the kids scene of clip along figures for baby to learn from. Playonwords value: Talk about all the sounds, textures, colors and faces to engage your newborn from the crinkly bandanas to the parrot and pony noises.
I Play. Shop ‘n Cart. This cart carries the whole food shopping experience in one basket on wheels. The set includes the play food, money, packages and cans with a removable grocery basket that fits into it’s own space on the bottom. Playonwords value: Great pretend play to encourage commentary and role playing during play.
I Play. My First Baby Doll. Pretend play comes wrapped up in a diaper bag for on the go fun. The soft, plushy baby doll comes with her teddy bear, bottle, bib, diaper, wipe case and changing pad/blankie. Playonwords value: Great pretend play potential for the younger set as they are just beginning to pretend. The items are soft and can be stored in the diaper bag.
Eebee.
This company carefully researches and introduces quality toys with a purpose.
If the Shape Fits eebee. eebee’s got some colorful shapes to share–slip them on his limbs or your own for some fun description and language learning. Playonwords value: vocabulary learning through flexible fun shapes that can be attached to most anything, extending the language concepts to be described. Also, check out eebee’s new baby cookbook coming out soon.
Hape.
Organico Blocks. These light building blocks are made from bamboo and will be out this summer. I can’t wait to try them. Playonwords value: Kids can create anything with a good set of blocks. Add some little people or animal figures and you have a story starting.
Okay that’s it for part 1 of my Top Picks. Next installment is coming including Haba, Playmobil and Blue Orange.
Today I had a press opportunity to have tea with and listen to TIA’s (Toy Industry Association) Toy Trend Specialist, Reyne Rice, talk about the current trends in kids’ toys. Ironically, I had blogged about the same subject last night, based on what I saw after one day at the Toy Fair. I’m proud to say that our lists overlapped a bit!
Reyne knows her subject well and enlightened us with the following four trends she sees, supported by brands:
- Active. We are seeing exercise being brought into toys. This goes along with Michelle Obama’s initiative to reduce childhood obesity and increase movement in kids. Active imagination is in this category which includes arts and crafts and construction. “We are seeing creativity coming back into the fray.” Wild Planet, Hasbro and Mattel all emphasize products that get kids moving. Many companies might use some technology to start the movement. She went on to say that construction toys, arts and crafts, puzzles and games showed the most growth last year in the toy industry. Brands like Crayola, Mega blocks, Playmobil and Legos all encourage active imagination. Active brain includes puzzles like the Rubik’s Cube. We are also seeing games that encourage intergenerational play, providing different levels of difficulty, so various ages can play simultaneously.
- Accessible. We are seeing toys and games whose themes are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Kids can go online and play games, or get information on their favorite brands. The hot toy unveiled today was Fisher Price’s new iXL which is their “multi-tech, six-in-one smart device for preschoolers,” according to Robert Eckert, CEO of Mattel. This portable learning unit comes with six applications. It can be used as a photo album or first e-reader product for kids 3 and up. In addition, following this accessible trend, games are being offered with options to play them cooperatively–extending the value of the game.
- Affordable. There are many toys and games coming out in the $10, $15 and $20 range. Twister
Hoops by Hasbro has 5 ways to play the game, extending its play value. According to Rice, it’s the details that delight kids so companies have introduced 3 3/4 inch action figures which have more detail in sculpting and therefore attract more interest. Rice talked about “pennies per play,” the idea of getting repeated value out of a toy or game. Construction toys can be played with in a different way each time. And speaking of the flexibility of construction, several games introduced require the participants to build the game–Lego has buildable mazes and Hasbro’s Mousetrap allows the players to make the gameboard. - Aspirational. Toys and games are teaching kids about empowerment. “I Can Be Barbie” comes in 125 careers. Girls can go online and read about women and the path they took to arrive at their careers. “The Princess and the Frog” teaches perseverance. According to Rice, brands build in, “There’s a choice,” because when children get older they have to make decisions. Also, curriculum based products are in vogue now. You not only can make a light saber, you can learn the physics behind its operation. Thinkfun is giving curriculum to educators and after school programs to extend their products. I met the woman who is heading up the link between their games and learning. She taught kindergarten through second grade and was getting her degree in curriculum when she interned for ThinkFun. The rest is history. She writes the instruction booklets included in the games on how to promote further learning. Good for ThinkFun! Many companies are involved in charitable giving–contributing 3-5% or even 10% of their profits to charities. Karito Kids allows a child who has purchased one of their dolls to log onto the website and choose the charity where she can apply 3% of her purchase price. Included in the aspirational trend are the eco-friendly products. These are made from organic materials, in sustainable factories, with soy based inks, wood, bamboo, etc. Rice cited the example of a company named TDC which offers a green puzzle, where literally when you have worn out the puzzle, you can go outside and plant the puzzle pieces which each have a seed embedded in it. Now that’s what I call recycling.
Wow! That’s how I describe the incredible experience of walking through the Jacob Javits Center, filled with inventive, imaginative, and creative people sharing this year’s new products for kids. I was privileged to go to a Blogger’s Breakfast at Hasbro Toys yesterday, as their executives introduced their newest pets, ponies, transformers and Play-doh creation stations to name a few. I will devote a whole blog to that later.
Today, I went to the Toy Fair and saw some great new products for kids that encourage language development through exploration and creative play. First let me share some of the trends that I see in 2010:
- “Green toys” or organic lines. I visited Haba toys today and they introduced Cotti toys which are made from organic fabrics, including a little friend with a removable cushion that can be heated or cooled depending on what a child’s boo boo requires for relief. Organico Blocks by HaPe are lightweight and made from bamboo.
- Toys with a new online connection that links the offline play with an online experience. Hasbro has introduced a new online experience for Littlest Pet Shop. Check out their website with your Pet Shop fans
- Games where the players can determine the length of play before beginning by shortening the board’s path such as Ravensburger’s “Tonga Island,” or choosing one of three different durations for your game of “Monopoly” before beginning to play.
Updated graphics on classics to be more relevant to today’s child. Hasbro’s Candyland board includes baked goods along with the traditional candy and has added such hip characters at the “Duke of Swirl!”- Toys and games to encourage both genders to play with what has been traditionally linked to just boys or girls. Edushape introduced “Chubby Edublocks” in bright colors, including pink, to attract the girls, while International Playthings offers a series of “Wild Science” kits, including a line for girls so they can participate in a perfume lab or make fancy soaps.
- Games designed for friends or siblings of varied ages to play together. I Can Do That Games introduced several clever, engaging games that would be fun for the whole family including “What’s In the Cat’s Hat” and “Konexi.”
What are “Spoon People” you ask? After over 35 years doing speech and language therapy, it is fun to invent something new that really works with kids.
I was trying to think of a way to interest one of my kids on the autism spectrum to re-tell a story. He just recently has become interested in picture books (only if they are the right combination of fun, simple, short, and inviting). I usually have two books in our repertoire, one that is very familiar that we have read and re-told in new ways, asked questions about and done a little predicting, and one that is new to him. Once i get him engaged in the fun and familiar book, I quickly move into the second one before too much protest. Soon the second book becomes the familiar one and so on.
Well now we are moving to re-telling the story. How can we do that in a fun way? I copied pictures of the characters in Timothy Goes to School by Rosemary Wells. I took Timothy, Claude, Timothy’s mom and Violet as my main characters. I glued them to a sturdy cardboard backing and in my search for a stable stick to hold them, I came upon a plastic spoon—and my spoon people were born!
First we took the spoon people and re-told the story. Then we moved to flexibly changing the story. My little friend didn’t like that Claude was mean to Timothy and quickly changed him to a “friend” and invited him over for cookies after school.
Next, I used the spoon people for practice in description. We take turns picking a character and keeping its identity secret while the other person guesses his identity from our clues. My little client held Timothy and said, “He’s nice.” “He is wearing a new shirt.” “He goes home with Violet.”
Spoon people have been known to go on to enter pretend play with a child’s favorite animals to animate. We got out the blocks and Timothy and Violet went to the aquarium with the sharks. Kids love the spoon people because they get attached to and familiar with the characters. They don’t want to leave them behind in a book!
