Written by Carrie Bollentino, M.S., CCC-SLP
Summer is full of fun, sun, and exciting events, including fireworks! Here are 5 easy ways to turn summer activities into speech and language opportunities for your child:
1. Water Play Words
Use sprinklers, pools, or water tables to teach action words (splash, pour, drip), location words (in, under, on), and describing words (wet, cold, slippery).
2. Firework Descriptions
Talk about the fireworks using colorful language. Try:
- Colors: “blue,” “sparkly,” “gold”
- Sounds: “boom,” “crackle,” “pop”
- Shapes: “circle,” “zigzag,” “starburst”
3. Sequencing Events
Help your child talk about what happened first, next, and last during a summer event like a picnic, parade, or fireworks show.
4. Following Directions
Give your child simple directions to follow during play, such as “Put the red shovel in the bucket” or “First, blow bubbles, then pop them.”
5. Picnic Vocabulary
Use snack and mealtime to build vocabulary and practice requesting: “I want grapes,” “More juice, please,” or naming foods and utensils.
Firework Safety & Sensory Tips for Language Learners
- Prepare Them: Talk ahead of time about what fireworks are, what they’ll hear, and what to expect.
- Use Visual Supports: Show pictures or videos of fireworks and label the actions and sounds.
- Offer Choices: Let your child choose ear protection, a favorite toy, or a quiet space if needed.
- Model Emotions: Label feelings like “excited,” “nervous,” or “happy” and help your child express their own.
- Social Stories: For children who benefit from structure, consider reading a short social story about fireworks and celebrations.