Therapy Tip: Using Snow for Language

Welcome to Therapy Thursday! This is the day that I share a tip based upon my experience as a mother of a child with special needs and a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

Today's Tips is:

Using Snow for Building Language

Snow is something I use to enjoy as a child. As an adult, I don't appreciate it as much. Living in the Midwest here in America, we have a few snowfalls a year. Snow brings an opportunity for an activity that isn't available all the time.

I started bringing snow inside the house in a container when Jaycee was a toddler. Jaycee has only went outside and playfully dug in the snow a handful of times. Her lung issues make it difficult for her to breathe in the cold air. Therefore, we generally enjoy the snow inside the house where it is safer.

As I have mentioned in some of my other posts, building language can be done is almost every activity. Snow play is just another method to target language while simply playing or guiding a child. I think the activity is always more interesting for the child too when it is something relatively new or unique for them.

Here's what you need:

-A container 1/2 full of fresh snow

-A towel to place under the container for drips if needed

-Measuring cups, small cups, spoons, scoops, and other small items that allow the child to dig and move the snow around

-Food coloring if you are going to change the color of the snow

-Mittens/gloves if the child won't touch the snow

Some possible language targets for toddlers and pre-school students:

-Concepts: In/out, empty/full

-Adjectives: White, cold, wet

-Action words: Scoop, dig, dump, pour, fill

-Other vocabulary: Snow, winter, gloves, cup, spoon

-2 Word Phrases: White snow, cold hand, fill it, dump out, more snow

Hope your next snow day is fun and language filled!

Therapy Thursday is for educational purposes and not intended as therapeutic advice.