Spring is Finally Here: Boost Your AAC Users Speech and Language Skills in the Outdoors!
Spring has arrived, and there's nothing quite like stepping out into the sunshine after a long, snowy winter! Outdoor activities are a great way to support your child's speech and language development. They expose your child to various sensory stimuli like textures, sights, and sounds, providing an excellent opportunity to introduce new vocabulary and expand on language skills. One fun way to combine movement with speech practice is through scavenger hunts. Not only will you be getting some fresh air and exercise, but you'll also be working on valuable language skills along the way!
How Can I Incorporate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
You can use a scavenger hunt to support your child's receptive and expressive language skills with their AAC device! In this blog, I’ll show you how parents, caregivers, family, friends, and speech pathologists can work together to explore your child’s device, model its use, and help build language skills. Let’s dive into how you can get started:
The first step is to grab your copy of the scavenger hunt. Then, get a basket or bag to collect any items you find. Now you’re ready to start exploring and moving!
Labeling
As you go through the scavenger hunt, encourage your child to label the items they find. Give them the chance to identify objects, and remember to model the process without expecting an immediate response.
Describing
Encourage your child to describe each item using descriptive words. For example, instead of just saying "tree” or “sky”, try “blue + sky” or “big + tree.” Describing objects with more details helps build a richer vocabulary and teaches your child how to use these descriptive words in daily life.
AAC Software: Tobii Dynavox
Utterance Expansion
A fantastic way to support language growth is by expanding on your child’s utterances. Scavenger hunts are a great opportunity to help them move beyond single-word responses and form longer phrases and sentences. For instance:
“I + see + flower”
“Look + green + grass”
“Put + the + rock + in”
If your child is working on expanding their language, use these moments to model how they can add more words and detail to their speech. Modeling is not only beneficial for their communication but also helps them become more familiar with their AAC device.
AAC Software: Proloquo2Go
Core Words
Did you know that "core words" make up about 80% of what we say every day? Core words include verbs, adjectives, prepositions, pronouns, and conjunctions. When using a scavenger hunt to target core words, you’re helping your child build a strong foundation for communication.
Here are some core words to focus on during your hunt:
Verbs: go, walk, look, find, see
Adjectives: colors, size, texture (e.g., small ant)
Prepositions: behind, in, under, next to (e.g., The tree is in front of the house)
Core Word Tip: When modeling a core word, be sure to point to the corresponding button on the AAC device as you speak. This helps reinforce the connection between the spoken word and the symbol.
Verbs
TouchChat
Adjectives
Proloquo2Go
Prepositions
Tobii Dynavox
Book Extension Activities
After an exciting scavenger hunt, what better way to wind down and relax than with a spring-themed book? Here are a few of my favorite springtime reads.
By incorporating movement, outdoor exploration, and AAC, you’re creating a fun and educational experience for your child that strengthens their language skills. So, grab that scavenger hunt, get moving, and have fun!
