Books: Language, Apraxia, Speech, Fun

I love finding books that peak my interest. Given time, I would sift through the children’s book section more. Why? A. It’s fun. B. It’s not stressful. And C. I love looking for therapy materials and thinking about how that item could be used in therapy to benefit a child. I don’t know about you, but I am literally like the kid in the candy store. Often I will have ten items in my arms and end up putting most away before I hit the checkout lane. Ha! Why again? I really have to think about, “Is this for me or will this really benefit a child?” Think about how many toys have batteries and make sound. Think about how many toys emphasize colors, numbers, shapes and letters. Think about this with books too!

Why? Check out this blog on Teach Me To Talk on the first 100 words typically used by a child. Think beyond colors and numbers.  On the Rossetti Infant Toddler Language Scale labeling ONE color typically does not occur until after 27 months of age.  Colors are abstract.  An apple is an apple.

I recently shared my Twelve Days of Toys post on LinkedIn and someone asked if I could share some of my favorite books, specifically with nonverbal children. I imagine that could encompass a variety of children but for today I picked out a couple of favorites and thought we could talk about why. For our kids that are not learning language as another peer might, I think about the kid’s learning style and how I can tap into helping that child learn, imitate, identify, label, etc. Many of the younger kids that I see for evaluations or for therapy have not begun to look for named objects or to point to pictures in books. This makes me think about using books that have less busyness.

The baby’s first words book has one picture per page which is awesome. I typically tell/ask a child to “Point to…” or “Where is the …?”  (I have bought 4 copies of this book over the years) If you have been following me I have mentioned prompts numerous times, how to use them and how to FADE them. (Prompts and Toy Selection)

Any book that provides repetition such as Brown Bear Brown Bear allows the child an opportunity to memorize the repetitive phrases. Then, you provide a pause at the end of the phrase. This allows your child an opportunity to fill in the word, a sound or a sign.  Here is a link with some similar books.

I lent out If You See A Kitten and it has not made its way back to me.  Oops!  It is another example of a book that is fun and allows the child an opportunity to fill in some simple Consonant Vowel and Vowel Consonant combinations when you provide the pause.

The Buddy Bear series has stickers which depict the answer to the question. For example, “What is Buddy Bear eating?” The answer maybe “Eating a cookie” or “Eating.” Or, it may be “Cookie” for the language learner who does not have action words yet. The child can also request a “cookie” (sticker of the cookie). You can also set out the stickers and ask the child to find “Which one do you drink?” or “Which one do you throw?”  The Buddy Bear series has always been a favorite and allows for a variety of teaching moments.

All Better is definitely a winner, winner, chicken dinner kind of book.  The kids love using the bandaids!  Trust me!  It is full of repetitive verses and fun.  My BF and fellow SLP, Cari, is an Usborne Consultant.  If you are interested in this book or any others check out her Facebook page.  She will answer any questions you may have and help you pick out books for your child’s age and interests. (There is a Mouse About the House is a hoot and another winner with the kids.)

The Big Book of Exclamations will always find it’s way in my favorites. There are actually 2 and they are wonderful. I mentioned these in another post about Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

If you are interested, here are a couple of articles on the benefits of reading to your child.

I is for infant: Reading aloud to young children benefits brain development

Parents who read to their children nurture more than literary skills

Feel free to comment with your favorites or to ask questions. That is it for this post and for this year! Holy Smokes we are about to enter 2018! I hope everyone has an amazing holiday season.

This post is dedicated to my gram, Rita. She passed within the last month at the age of 98. She was a 2nd grade school teacher for many years and a blessing to her family and to so many in the community.