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.