How much do I adore books? Well, let’s put it this way, if I were a dinosaur, I would surely be called a Bookosaurus Rex (LOL). I enjoy using books throughout all of my speech therapy sessions because the obvious amount of language enhancement and articulation practice that can be done while interacting with a book is immeasurable. But did you know that we speech-language pathologists can use books for something other than reading? Buckle up and grab a book, I’m going to teach you three simple steps that will get children pumped to have books on their brain!
Step 1 – Time for the hallway!
You will need to grab an old, unimportant book for each of your speech students. Ask each of them to hold on to their book as you bring them into the hallway. Remember, quiet mouths because we don’t want to interrupt the other classes and their learning.
Step 2 – Balance those books!
Line up your speech students at the end of the hallway. On a signal from you, they will place their book on top of their head and try to balance it so the book doesn’t fall (this alone is tons of fun).
Step 3 – And they’re off! Vroom!
Ready, set, go! Have the competitors walk towards you while they try their hardest to keep the books perched on their heads. The player who walks the farthest while keeping the book on his or her head is the winner!
Awesome WH questions to ask:
- What would happen if the book on your head turned into chewing gum? How would you feel? Why?
- What would happen if the book on your head turned into an elephant? How would you feel? Why?
- What would happen if the book on your head turned into a cactus? How would you feel? Why?
In closing . . .
Some people think that books are going to become “extinct” within the next few years because of things like the Kindle, iPad, etc. but I don’t believe that. I think that we SLPs will keep the book industry very strong because we are able to use books so many different ways in speech therapy.
Can you think of any alternative activities that can be done with books that have NOTHING to do with reading? How long can you balance a book on YOUR head (hey, this game isn’t just for children)? As always, it would bring me great joy to hear from you. Stay cool!
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