Direction Following; Macy's Holiday Window Displays

Now that the crowds from Light Up Night have decreased, I recommend visiting downtown for language exercises for your child.  The Macy's holiday window displays are a perfect thing to capture a child's attention and also work on direction following.  By two years of age, many children can follow two- and three-step directions.

 

Image retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2012/11/15/Downtown-Macy-s-keeps-tradition-alive-with-holiday-window-display/stories/201211150274.

I recommend looking at the windows, and first allowing your child to process the wonder.  Once she has taken everything in, start by asking her point to various parts of the display.  I like to warm up with one-step directions such as, "Point to the girl," and "Point to the tree."

 

Image retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2012/11/15/Downtown-Macy-s-keeps-tradition-alive-with-holiday-window-display/stories/201211150274.

Next, move onto two-step directions such as, "Point to the wreath, then point to the wreath," and "Point to girl and wave."

Image retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macy%27s_Holiday_Windows.JPG.

Finally, end with three-step directions such as, "Point to the girl, then point to the boy, then point to the mailbox," and "Point to the mailbox, tell Santa what you want for Christmas, then wave goodbye."

Being enthusiastic while giving a directions helps, and so does positive praise.  If your child has difficulty following directions, then try repeating the direction.  If that doesn't work, then practice the parts of the direction in isolation; once each one is mastered then your child can try to do them all at once.  If that doesn't work, then model the direction for your child and see if she can imitate it.

Many children respond best to directions that are meaningful.  So, you may also try to incorporate direction following inside of Macy's.  For example, Macy's is famous for having a mailbox at every store for children to submit their letters to Santa.  Thus, a good two-step direction would be, "Take out your letter, and put it in the mailbox."

Note: These Pittsburgh Macy's pictures were taken circa 2012 and 2013.  I couldn't find anything more recent!

Sequencing; Three Rivers

I was recently downtown for the American Speech Language and Hearing Association's Schools Conference, and I was in awe of all the activity that was happening on the rivers.  If you would like to target sequencing with your child, I recommend watching the rivers.  Take snapshots of what you see.  Next, work with your child to create a computer slideshow and have her put the main events in order.  This activity targets organization, prediction, comprehension and memory.

Your slideshow may look like this:

"First, we saw a boat."

Image retrieved from http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-boating-trips-near-pittsburgh/

"Then, we saw someone kayaking."

 

Image retrieved from http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/kayaking-pittsburghs-rivers

"Next, we saw a barge."

Image retrieved from http://rutheh.com/2010/03/10/tugboat-pushing-barges-up-the-monongahela/

"Finally, we saw some tourists."

Image retrieved from http://www.phenomenalplace.com/2013/09/just-ducky-tours-fun-way-to-learn-about.html

*Tips: When creating a slideshow, you may also target: 1. syntax by using words like "first," "next" and "then;" 2. story telling; 3. past-tense grammar; 4. writing.  I will try to develop these other tips in later posts. :)  Please post below any other ideas you may have for this activity!

Cognitive disorders; Kennywood

Children with cognitive disorders may demonstrate difficulty with visual-spatial reasoning as well as planning and problem solving.  One way to target this area when you are out and about at a new place is by reading maps.  Take this map of Kennywood which is child-friendly as an example:

Image retrieved from https://www.kennywood.com/things-to-do/park-map.

There are many things that you can do with your child: ask her how to get from point A or point B; ask her where a rest room is; ask her what you will pass when walking to Noah's Ark; ask her what the most efficient way to the Log Jammer is; ask her how many first aid locations there are; ask her to locate where you are on the map; ask her what the symbols mean.

What ways can you think of to use a map?  Please post below!