Message from Speech Therapists

Sharing books with Preschoolers, the Hanen Way

By Lauren Lowry
Hanen Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Hanen Staff Member

Preschoolers (aged 2 ½ to 5 years) enjoy books in many different ways.  Some may want you to read their favourite story book from beginning to end. Some may just want to flip quickly through the pages. Some may try to “read” the book to you, pointing out pictures of interest or reciting memorized words or lines from the story. All of these are positive ways to share books together. What’s most important is that your child enjoys looking at books with you and that the experience leads to conversation and interaction between you and your child.

When reading with a preschooler, the main goals include:

1. Encouraging her interest in books and in sharing them with you
2. Learning about new words, ideas and concepts, especially those that broaden her understanding of her world and stimulate her imagination
3. Understanding and enjoying stories
4. Having fun!

You can continue reading the article at

http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Fun-Activities/Sharing-books-with-Preschoolers,-the-Hanen-Way.aspx

Five Nasty Germs

Five

nasty germs were going out to play,

Along came the water

and washed one away!

Four

nasty germs trying to have some fun,

Along came the soap

and one had to run!

Then three

nasty germs tried to make you sick,

But along came the scrubbing

and said

“You’re not going to stick!”

Two

nasty germs got into a fight,

Along came the rinse

and washed one out of sight!

One

nasty germ thought it couldn’t be seen,

Along came a towel

and your hand was nice and clean!

This week during your child’s speech time we read I’m Not Feeling Well Today by Shirley Neitzel.  It has a lot of objects that repeat that require the child to recall given a picture cue.  This also allows them to be able to “read” or help you read.  They love to feel like they are taking part in the story.  We also sang this song about germs.  You could print and cut out the germs and tape them on the hand to act out the song or tape them to a glove the child has so they can wear the germs.  The book has a lot of repeating words and lines which allows for articulation practice as well.