Topic “Understanding of Language/Comprehension”  

• Any lesson
• Laminated cards - each big enough to fit a word on
• Dry- or wet-wipe marker

1. Identify the key words used in a lesson - the words that are used often. These could be the names of repeated actions such as "roll", "count", (knock) "over"; or names of items such as "flour", "butter", "sugar". You could do this before the lesson, or during the lesson as you go along.
2. Write one word on each laminated card.
3. For actions: around the time when the action is done (by anyone), show the child(ren) the corresponding word  and label it.
4. For objects: have the word next to the item (e.g.next to some flour in front of a child). When you get the flour, or do something with the flour, point to the card and say the word: do this as part of your natural talking e.g. "You're mixing the flour" or "Let's get some flour" (point to the words in bold).

- hot/cold sorting game - click here to print

1. Choose a selection of picture cards to sort - print and cut these out along with the hot/cold symbols.

2. Explain to your child that you are going to sort the pictures into whether the item is hot/cold.

3. Take turns at choosing a picture and sorting it on to hte correct symbol. Name the picture as you sort, e.g. 'ice cube is cold'.

4. You could use a turn taking game alongside sorting to make the activity fun.

- hot/cold clothing sorting game - click here to print

- Washing machine template - click here to print. You could stick the template onto a cardboard box and cut out a slot to post the clothing cards in to.

- Clothing picture cards - click here to print.

- Print and cut out the washing machine template and clothing cards.

- Lay out the clothes cards in front of you. Explain to your child that you need to put the washing in the machine and that they can help.

- Give instructions containing 3 key words (size+colour+clothing item), e.g. wash the big red hat, wash the small green socks.

- After a few turns, encourage your child to give you an instruction. 

- Location picture cards - click here to print

- Alien picture cards - click here to print

- Pirate 3 key word activity - click here to print

- A box

- Big/little animal picture cards - click here to print.

1. Print and cut out the big/little animal picture cards.

2. Explain to you child that you are going to ask them to place the animals in different places.

3. Lay out a selection of big and little animals in front of your child - make sure you have the big and little version of each animal.

4. Give instructions containing a preposition, e.g. put the big sheep under the box, put the little cow next to the box.

Prepostion words you could use: in, on, under, being, in front, next to.

- A room with different furniture or items such as baskets/boxes where you can hide objects.

- Objects/toys (e.g. ball, car, doll etc)

- 2 different soft toys, e.g dolly/teddy

- 2 plates

- baskets

- Play food items

1. Put teddy and dolly in front of your child.

2. Give teddy a plate and a basket, then give dolly a plate and a basket

3. Lay a selection of play food out for your child to see.

4. Give instructions to your child, e.g. "put the banana on teddy's plate", or "put the bread in dolly's basket".

5. After a few turns, see if your child is able to give you an instruction.

- a soft toy

- big/little food pictures - click here to print

1. Print and cut out the big/little food pictures.

2. Ask your child to choose a favourite toy and explain you are going to feed them.

3. Explain you have big food and little food. Lay out a small selection of food - make sure you have both the big and little version of the same food.

4. Give your child instructions, e.g. give teddy the big carrot, give teddy the little eggs.

5. After a few turns, encourage your child to give you an instruction to follow. 

- 2 different soft toys

- Actions cards - click here to print

1. Print and cut out the action cards - you could draw some actions if you do not have access to a printer. 

2. Show your child the actions and say the word - practice making both soft toys carry out the actions.

3. When you are sure your child understands the different action words, start to give your child instructions, e.g. make teddy fly, make dolly sleep.

4. After a few turns see if your child can give you an instruction. 

- 2 boxes or baskets

- a selection of objects

- Optional big/little symbols - click here to print

1. Print and cut out the big/little symbols if you wish to use them. 
2. Talk to your child about big/little objects and show them the symbols.
3. Explain you are going to have a hunt and find obejcts that are big/little and sort them into boxes.
4. Look around the area you are in - for the first few goes, you choose an object you can see and tell your child whether it is big/little and place it in approriate box.
5. After a few turns, encourage your child to choose an object and and talk about whether it is big/little, and place it in the correct box.

- Picture cards to sort - click on links below to print:

- big/little animals

- big little food

- big/little transport

- Big/little picture symbols - click here to print

- Printable subcategory dice templates

:Animals

:Food

:Household Items

- Printable subcategory cards

:Animals

:Food

:Household Items

1. Choose which subcategory you would like to focus on. Cut out and make up the dice. Cut out the matching subcategory cards.
2. Spread the subcategory cards on the surface in front of you and your child.
3. Explain to your child that you are going to take turns at rolling the dice, which ever side the dice lands on, you need to find a picture that fits into that category.
4. Name the item that you have found. If you child is finding it challenging to name items try using some of the strategies to support word finding - click here (add link)
5. Remember some items might fit in 2 or more subcategories dependent on the child's personal experience. You could use this as a discussion point.

- category dice template - click here

- printable category cards (click on each category):

     - clothes

     - animals

     - body parts

     - food

     - transport

     - toys

1. Cut out and make up the category dice. Cut out the category cards.
2. Spread the category cards on the surface in front of you and your child.
3. Explain to your child that you are going to take turns at rolling the dice, which ever side the dice lands on, you need to find a picture that fits into that category.
4. Name the item that you have found. If you child is finding it challenging to name items try using some of the strategies to support word finding - click here (add link)
5. Remember some items might fit in 2 or more subcategories dependent on the child's personal experience. You could use this as a discussion point.

- a selection of musical instruments 

- Click here for ideas of how to use household items to make musical instruments

- optional noisy/quiet symbols

1. Each person chooses a musical instrument.

2. If you wish, you can use symbols alongside the words you use. Talk about noisy sounds and quiet sounds. Practice making these with your musical instrument.

3. Swap musical instruments and make noisy/quiet sounds again.

4. Play a game where you take turns at being the conductor and give the instructions of noisy or quiet for the others to follow.

- optional camera to take photographs

- piece of paper and pencil

- optional noisy/quiet symbols

- Click here for printable noisy/quiet sorting pictures.

Sheet with 3 columns, one headed "who?", one headed "what?", one headed "why?"

Brick cube

'Wh' word symbols

You can make these resources using the Commtap Symboliser for PowerPoint.

1. Use the sheet as you retell stories or events or activities that you have recently done with the child. Fill in the columns so that you can 'read' across the sheet and retell the story.
2. Each time ask the child a 'wh' question and give any help needed with the answer so that the child feels successful.
3. Stick the 'wh' word symbols to the sides of a brick cube. Have a picture available to discuss and play games rolling the cube and answering the 'wh' question that is uppermost on the dice.

Picture cards with emotions

Optional - choice of pictures showing possible reasons - for example a picture of a boy who has fallen over to go with a picture of a boy who is crying.

1. Look at an emotion picture card - discuss what is happening, for example, "Look... the boy is crying.";
2. Ask 'Why is he crying?' and give a model answer for example "because he is sad", "because he fell over".

One or more pictures showing scenes - for example someone running away, a hot beach.

Or...

Pictures in a book.

Two toys one desirable and one not.

• A familiar picture book;
• If required, a symbol card to represent 'what' (for example a question mark).

1. Ask "what" questions about familiar pictures in books. For example, ask 'What is this?';
2. Model the answer if the child has difficulty answering, for example "What's this?". You could also use a "what" symbol card when you ask questions - pointing to it when you use the word 'what'.

One or more of these:

• own photos from school or home;
  
• pictures of things.
  

... and if required:

"What" symbol card