Summer Bucket Lists in Auditory Therapy

Boredom Busters or Bucket Lists have been a fun way to kick off summer break. The activity stimulated new vocabulary, categorizing, describing, critical thinking, and lots of listening and spoken language fun! I explained to the kids that a bucket list is how you create your goals, hopes, and dreams. We talked about including things that you know you will be able to accomplish, as well as things that you would like to try to accomplish, along with some things that you might not be able to do (take a trip to Australia), but you would love the opportunity if the chance presented itself to you.  

The parents and I gave them topics and we brainstormed. Sometimes, if they couldn't think of anything I would have them listen to choices, remember what I said and then make some choices. They all seem excited to begin their bucket list challenges. We talked about a Bucket list will ensure they won't be bored or have nothing to do. Get off the couch, turn off your electronics, and go have some fun! The kids weren't sure at first but then really took this seriously.

I reminded the parents to make every summer count! They were surprised when I said that we only have 18 summers to make memories with our kids and then they are off to college or the next life adventure.

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Smiling-In-Sixth
I got this idea from a blogger - SmilinginSixth

Here are some of the ideas I can recall we talked about and put into our buckets.

New swimming goals - somersault underwater, dive off a diving board, swim in a lake

Rainy day activities - play a board game, build a blanket fort, have a dance party

Nature activités - nature hike, go fishing visit an arboretum, create a sundial

Summer foods I want to eat - ballpark hot dog, fresh garden vegetables, BBQ, a funnel cake

Sporting goals - run, walk a 5K. make 3 runs in a baseball game, play a game or tennis

Fun with friends - go on a bike hike, start a book club, go fishing, volunteer at church, at a shelter

So many other topics: 

Water Games and Fun
Things I Want To See
Pool Time Goals
Places I Want To Go
Park Activites
Library Goals
Reading Goals
Travel plans
Road Trips
Sunny Day Activites
Summer Fairs and Activities to Visit
Favorite Summer Treats
Favorite Summer Drinks
Summer Music Events and Concerts
Carnival and Amusement Park Rides to Try
Camping Fun
Fourth of July Activites
Ocean and Beach Activites
Water Games and Fun
Memorial Moments

Listening and Spoken Language Summer Category Fun

Auditory Processing, Auditory Memory, Auditory Integration - 

Targeting Categories For Effective Listening and Spoken Language Skills

Information that can be organized in some manner is most easily retrieved. The organization of words into categories provides effective neural “hooks” for retrieval and an effective “filing cabinets” for storage.  The use of categories is especially relevant to auditory memory. Short-term auditory memory relies on techniques such as chunking, while auditory association is key to long-term memory. 

Chunking and association both use categories. Learning categories help children in describing related words, allowing for more effectively listening and spoken language skills with robust vocabulary.

Click HERE if you want to check out this BuildaBurger Categories Freebie game

 that was created by: Maureen Wilson M.S., CCC-SLP, author of The Speech Bubble.

Listen and Learn with Summertime Would You Rather? Questions.

Would You Rather? questions are great fun for higher level listeners

 or those with an auditory processing disorder. 

Present these intriguing questions through hearing alone to target auditory memory, auditory processing and comprehension abilities. This activity is great for practicing critical thinking because they require the listener to evaluate two different, but seemingly equally appealing (or unappealing) options and choose one. Expressive language skills are expanded as their choice is explained and defended. 

Click here for your FREE download from Minds-in-Bloom.

Fun-tastic Summer Auditory Therapy!

 I am one of the sponsors of the Illinois U46 Deaf and HH 5K on May 14th and was asked to provide flyers regarding summer auditory therapy to enclose in the runner's "swag bags". 

Feel free to share a flyer with a friend, family or students who may benefit from summer therapy. 

 Click HERE to print the attached flyer. 

4th of July: Auditory Verbal Therapy Pinterest Board

Click HERE for ideas for listening and spoken language at home or in parent centered therapy.

Many more 4th of July pins on the website. Click above.

Time to Schedule Summer Auditory Based Therapy!

Listening, Learning and Spoken Language with New Events, Activities or Holidays

This blog post was adapted from the http://www.medel.com article entitled,

Helping Your Child Enjoy New Events with Their Cochlear Implant 

by Donna  Sperandio, Head of Rehabilitation at MED-EL

You can be read the original article HERE 

For any child a new activity or event is an experience, and especially for a child with hearing aids or cochlear implants each new event means new sounds and experiences that may seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, there are a few ways that you can help to make their listening experience, and the whole event, comfortable and enjoyable.

The Key Word: Preparation

Involving your child in preparing for the event in an age-appropriate way is the best method to make everything enjoyable.

First, just introduce them to the general idea of what the event is about. This way they can develop an overall understanding of what to expect.

How should you do this? An easy way would be to explain the big steps that might occur by just talking about them in order. Or, you could get a bit more creative. If you have pictures from similar events, or if it’s a recurring event maybe from the last time it happened, then you can show these to your child to give them an idea of what they might see or be around. Younger children might enjoy acting out the activity with toys or dolls, and this can be especially useful in structured events like a wedding where there’s a clearly defined routine to the whole event.

Then, you can get more into the details. What are specific activities that happen at this event? Will someone be standing up to give a speech, and if this happens how should your child behave? If there will be songs or music, maybe your child would enjoy hearing them in advance so that he or she can better enjoy them during the actual event.

Here are some basic questions that you can think about what to tell your child:

1. Why is this event happening?

1. What will happen at the event?

1. Who will be at the event?

1. Will there be any surprises, like unexpected events or noises, for which he or she can prepare?

1. How should your child behave? Is it formal or informal?

• Will there be speakers, and where will the speakers be located? (This is important because it might influence where your child should sit or stand to hear best.)

• Will there be induction loop or FM systems? (If yes, then your child could connect wirelessly to the systems for better hearing.)

During the Event: Enjoy

Depending on your child, you may want to either stay close or give them lots of space. Make sure to talk with them in advance and, if they’re old enough, make a choice that both of you can agree upon. Remember, the goal is to make it enjoyable for them as well as for you. If your child likes to be independent, that’s great! Encourage his or her independence, but also let them know that you’ll always be nearby if needed.

If your child uses any assistive listening devices make sure to grab them before leaving, and don’t forget any other accessories or extra batteries just in case. Again, it’s better to be prepared.

Talking with the event organizers can also help, whether it’s just informing them that your child will be present with his or her cochlear implant or asking about any assistive listening devices they have.

Example questions could be like:

Afterwards: Relax

If you want to reflect afterwards, you could ask your child if they have any questions about what had happened at the event or just ask them how they felt. If you took any photos at the event you could also look through them now.

Never Say, “I’m Bored.”

Summer is Around the Corner 

When our girls were young, the words, “I’m bored.” was prohibited in our home. 

I was known to assign a chore to take care of the problem.

There is so much fun to be had and no room for boredom especially during the summer months. Be sure to set up lots of opportunities for listening, language, learning, reading, outdoors fun and more.

H E R E is a fun FREE Printable to get your summer started.

 Post it on your fridge as a handy, inspirational reference!

http://indulgy.com/post/f6ctmYHlX1/summer-activity-idea-list-indoor-and-outdoo