Oh The Places We Can Go

In an Auditory Verbal Approach, we often speak of the use of extensions as a strategy for expanding language. Today the focus of extensions is with regard to the vocabulary knowledge of the places families frequent. Every place we visit there is an opportunity to expand vocabulary. A child  may as well learn car- hop, menu, and latte as well as any other words. We tend to stick with the same familiar vocabulary. Remember, you don't have to order or drink a latte to know what one is. Granted there are other more pressing and important words to learn when children are developing language, but the point is that if we keep in mind the need to raise the bar for language where ever we are, then those higher level words will become commonplace.

Language Activity Tip #1:

Keep your camera in your car and each time you stop at a familiar location such as gas station, post office, convenience store or school, take pictures of some of the key features. Maybe the gas pump, the mail box slot, the ATM machine, the soda fountain or the flag pole. Copy the photos to your  computer and make a slide show or print them and place them in a book. You can have great conversations recalling what you did there, why you went and what vocabulary is associated with it.

Language Activity Tip #2:  Inference Game

"I'm thinking of a place we go to refuel our car. It has a pump and  a hose. We sometimes go in and buy a drink. My favorite drink to buy there is a Dr. Pepper but you always order a Cherry Icee."

"I'm thinking of a place where children do to learn. There are teachers and principals there and usually we see  children playing on the swings. I like the flag pole in the front of the building."

Language Activity Tip #3: Story Telling

You can also use the photos to generate stories. Help your child develop narrative skills by talking first about recent familiar episodes when those locations were visited. You could also talk about the near future when  you will go there again. You can also begin to tell imaginary stories about the child's family members who went to that place and what they did.

Ex: On day daddy took Seth to school. Seth had his new backpack. His backpack was heavy because he had his pencils, his paper and his crayons. Seth likes school because he likes to draw and write his letters.
When you go to school, what do you think you would like to do?
Would you like to cut, draw or write?

Of course, conversations will happen on the level that your child is processing language. Remember it is a good thing to talk to the child just above their level of language. Don't be afraid to expose him to vocabulary extending beyond the simple daily routines. We want children to be able to have conversations about their own experiences and they will need the vocabulary to do it.

I would love to hear how you have expanded this idea with your child.

Extend, Extend, Extend!!!