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Topic “Understanding”

Activities to develop understanding of instructions containing 2 key words - set 1 (noun + noun)

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Shopping game (noun + noun) - printable shopping game pictures - click here - You could substitute the printed pictures for real objects.	1. Print and cut out the pictures. 2. Put the bag and the trolley in front of the child. 3. Lay the shopping items out on the table. 4. Explain to your child you would like them to do some shopping and put the item in either the bag or the trolley. 5. Some examle instructions you could use: - put the carrot in the bag - put the pizza in the trolley 6. After a few turns, ask you child to give you an instruction.	To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with either the trolley or the basket, e.g. put the banana in the basket, put the apple in the basket. To increase complexity, click here for activities focusing on three key word instructions.
Posting Game (noun + noun) - Animal post boxes and food pictures - click here to print	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with either the lion or the tortoise, e.g. give the banana to the tortoise, give the yogurt to the tortoise.
Picnic (noun + noun) - Toys - tea set, 2 different soft toys and play food.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with one of the soft toys, e.g. give the banana to the teddy, give the yogurt to the teddy. To increase complexity, click here for activities focusing on three key word instructions.
Feed the puppets (noun + noun) - 2 hand puppets - Play food	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.

Understand where

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Sharing a familiar book e.g. a pop-up or a picture book	1. When the child is familiar with a book point to pictures and ask questions using short phrases beginning with "Where?" e.g. 'Where's Spot?' 2. The child should either point to the appropriate place, or say the name of the place where the object is on the picture (e.g. "basket", "car").	If the child is not able to respond to the question, find the object for them on the picture, and say for example "Oh! There he is."
Naughty puppet Puppet or teddy or doll. Items to hide and somewhere to hide them.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Choose items to hide which the children already know the names of.

Activities to develop one key word understanding

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Puppet Feeding (nouns) - A hand puppet - Selection of play food	1. Place the puppet on your hand and lay a few items of play food in front of you. 2. Explain that the puppet is hungry. 3. Give your child instructions, e.g. '(puppet) wants the bread', '(puppet) wants the banana'. 4. Encourage your child to give the puppet the piece of food you asked for. 5. After a few turns, swap roles and see if your child is able to tell you which food to give to the puppet.	You could sign alongside saying the word. For videos of commonly used signs - click here.
Find it (nouns) - A selection of every day items - A box	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.
Action Game (verbs) - Optional soft toy - Optional action cards - click here to print - Optional action dice - click here to print	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	You could sign alongside saying the word. For videos of commonly used signs - click here.
Posting (nouns) - Post box - you can make your own with a cardboard box Optional printable post box template here - Picture cards to post - cick here for first words picture cards.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	You could sign alongside saying the word. For videos of commonly used signs - click here.

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