Conversational Lessons
Last time I discussed structured lessons. Let’s start by reviewing that. As parent-teachers, you have all become familiar with purposeful play. You narrate, encourage vocal responses, and ask questions all while following your child’s interests.
So what are structured lessons and why do you need to use these? A structured lesson is a play routine built around one specific language target. For example, let’s say you are working on a prepositional phrase using “in.” You might have a bucket or basket. You also have a collection of small objects. Ten is a good number. Choose items your child can name. Direct your child to find an item (ex. truck) and put it in the bucket. Ask, “Where is the truck?” Your child should respond, “in the bucket” (short answer) or “The truck is in the bucket.” (long answer). Do not carry on much other conversation about the toy. Move quickly to the next item and repeat. This structured lesson is also a mini lesson; it shouldn’t last long. Minimize distractions or veering from the target.
Back to conversational lessons. These are more like the play-based routines that you are used to doing. The only difference is you think a bit more strategically about a skill you have targeted in a structured lesson. If you were working on that prepositional phrase with “in,” you might think about an activity you are planning such as dyeing eggs. You can put eggs in different colored dyes. You can roll dyed, wet eggs in a bowl of salt to create a design. You can wrap wet, dyed eggs in fading tissue paper to marbleize. As you do each of these activities, prompt your child to practice the prepositional phrase using “in” simply by steering the discussion with your questions. This tells you if the child has learned the skill and is generalizing it into a variety of contexts. Highlight, correct, expand, use auditory closure and/or chunking. All these tools are in your toolbox. Reread in Strategies on the website if you need a review.
Last time I discussed structured lessons. Let’s start by reviewing that. As parent-teachers, you have all become familiar with purposeful play. You narrate, encourage vocal responses, and ask questions all while following your child’s interests.
So what are structured lessons and why do you need to use these? A structured lesson is a play routine built around one specific language target. For example, let’s say you are working on a prepositional phrase using “in.” You might have a bucket or basket. You also have a collection of small objects. Ten is a good number. Choose items your child can name. Direct your child to find an item (ex. truck) and put it in the bucket. Ask, “Where is the truck?” Your child should respond, “in the bucket” (short answer) or “The truck is in the bucket.” (long answer). Do not carry on much other conversation about the toy. Move quickly to the next item and repeat. This structured lesson is also a mini lesson; it shouldn’t last long. Minimize distractions or veering from the target.
Back to conversational lessons. These are more like the play-based routines that you are used to doing. The only difference is you think a bit more strategically about a skill you have targeted in a structured lesson. If you were working on that prepositional phrase with “in,” you might think about an activity you are planning such as dyeing eggs. You can put eggs in different colored dyes. You can roll dyed, wet eggs in a bowl of salt to create a design. You can wrap wet, dyed eggs in fading tissue paper to marbleize. As you do each of these activities, prompt your child to practice the prepositional phrase using “in” simply by steering the discussion with your questions. This tells you if the child has learned the skill and is generalizing it into a variety of contexts. Highlight, correct, expand, use auditory closure and/or chunking. All these tools are in your toolbox. Reread in Strategies on the website if you need a review.