Language and the Holidays

Many of the most memorable times in my family were the traditional holidays we shared and of course  still do!  I love each and everyone of them.  Of course, all the holidays I remember were centered around the children and having fun.  Children were constantly talking; family was constantly talking - language and conversation was the grand scheme of every holiday!
In my family, we celebrated the festival of lights - Chanukah!  As soon as the children were able, they recited the blessing for the candles and grandmothers handed out Chanukah gelt!  My Zayde centered his entire evening around the children, he loved having us by his side and telling us stories.  My grandmother loved handing out gifts and food.
In my husband's family, their Christmas Eve was nothing but family - at church, at home, and around the table.  After dinner, everyone was around their tree with the children in the middle of the floor.  His father told each of the children a riddle - and the children looked around or discussed what they thought their riddle meant and what present was coming their way.
As you can see, conversation, time together, and talking was a part of our lives and we continued those traditions into our life with our son - on both religious tracks, as long as we were together and talking to him all the time.  He always had the best of mommy and daddy! He always had the best of both families and it continues to this day.  'The best of' includes little ones being the center of attention and everyone talking!
One of my favorite websites has some information for Language fun and the holidays - if you have the love of family like I do - check it out! I bet you already do some of these things, if you don't it's a great way to learn and incorporate language.  www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org

Holidays and Language are just one more reason to share with your child and bring about the art of listening and communicating.  Another way to combine two favorites of mine - books and the holidays, whether I am reading them or giving them as gifts.  You can do so much through a book.  The stories you can tell and the conversations you can have.  The playing that will come about and the pretending, imagining and games you will love to have over and over again with your child.  My son's favorite book was 'BJ Funnybunny and the Great Tricycle Race' - over and over again - even during the holiday season.  The great thing about reading over and over again, your child learns the rhythm and movement of speech.  They memorize their favorite books and will 'call you out' on messing up the reading or skipping pages.  Go ahead - I dare you - change the words of your child's favorite book and see what happens.  You will know if they have been listening.  And if you don't have a favorite with your child - create one!  This website leads you to a world of great books and they can be as interactive as you want them to be - but they are great conversation making books.  Usborne books

Have yourself a merry little holiday and enjoy your family through conversation

October!! You're Kidding!!

No way! October already? Last time I had some time (which I don't right now, but I miss the blog!) - it has been well over a month; school was just getting started; and then everything began moving like a tornado!  School life really makes you lose track to time, and school life plus private therapy really makes you lose track of life! Hahaha. . . .

But as I have said in previous blogs, my family is what makes me realize life (and work) can make the living so much more fun and it's the balancing act that counts!

I love this time of year. Things begin to change and children can just feel it in the air.  Holidays are around the corner, going to school now means dressing a little bit warmer because mommy puts a sweater on you in the morning, and color changes remind you that summer does not last forever!  And
I get to help teach the children about the fun sounds they will hear and learn for this time of year.


For the young child just learning to use their listening skills - we do a great deal of singing to teach and learn about the rhythm, pitch, and intonation of speech.  The rise and fall of song also takes place with mom and/or care giver in the raise and fall of speech during interactions with child.
As you take a nature walk and notice the leaves falling from trees you can sing: (to the tune of 'The Farmer in the Dell') The leaves are falling down! The leaves are falling down! Red, and orange, and yellow, and brown, the leaves are falling down!  Or another tune to have fun with. . . (to the tune of Row, Row, Row your Boat)  Falling leaves, falling leaves, falling from the tree.  Rake them up then jump right in - have fun with falling leaves!
Point out leaves on the ground and the few leaves left in the trees.  Point out the crackling sound they make as you step on them under your feet or crackle them in your hand.  Have your child listen as you rake leaves in a pile.  Have them listen as you put them in a bag, basket, and/or wheelbarrow.  Push, push, push your child around in a wheelbarrow, or wagon with fall leaves.  Wheeeee!
For the young children in the classroom - play musical chairs with those songs.  As they listen, they walk around - when you stop singing - they sit down!  Or. . . what I really love - is singing this song as the children are playing in a pile of leaves (you can buy a couple of bags of fall leaves in any hobby or crafts store in the artificial plant/flower area) and when you stop singing. . . they stop raking, or jumping, or throwing the leaves!  Go on. . . . have some fun!

I love this video - thanks to http://www.sallybus.net