I know there are a million language activity ideas out there but what activities do we actually do in our home?
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During the recent school holidays Caspar was interested in writing and initiated most of these activities. The above activity he did not initiate as it was prescribed by his speech pathologist. I thought it was such an interesting idea I wanted to share it. I haven't been worried about Caspar's grammar but his speech pathologist thought it was time he was accurate with the use of he/she. Caspar was presented with two A4 sheets, one of a girl and one of a boy. He was then given a set of cards depicting a person doing something. Caspar was required to say what the person was doing on the card ("she is ..." or "he is ...") and then match it to the girl or boy.
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I love the imagination of the child. This sign says POLICE and is to let me know that behind this door is the police station. Caspar engages in role play and would often write illegible signs. I'm so happy the time has come that I can actually decipher the signs.
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Numbers are important too. In addition to using the sand tray and this book Caspar has been recording the temperature everyday. It's good practice and Caspar is naturally inquisitive about the weather. We recently received a copy of the letter work book which Caspar has been using too.
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We made a lot of books for Otis using our homemade journals. With some I wrote the words and Caspar drew the pictures. The above book originated from some printables from Montessori Print Shop where the child can match the word to the picture. Instead of simple matching Caspar glued them into a book. There is no control of error doing it this way so Caspar would come to me to check before gluing. It makes for fun bed time reading!
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Copy work with chalk. We have a chalk board and chalk outside. Over the two weeks Caspar often asked me to write down words for him to copy on the pavement. It's hard work to apply pressure to the chalk and form the letters. Caspar was also writing his own words and asking me to read them, they were all made-up words and I did my best to sound them out.
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I think it goes without saying but Caspar did a lot of reading during the holidays too. He found a series of comics books that he really enjoys and I often found him tucked away hiding and reading. I love the school holidays as the uninterrupted days allow for catching up and spending time together that just doesn't happen during the term.
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