What's in a Name?

People who like Star Trek are called "trekkies" , if they shop till they drop they're considered "shop-aholics", individuals who swoon over Edward, Bella and Jacob are "Twihards" and Hunger Game fans have requested "Tributes" while Harry Potter fans are "AWESOME".

So what about people who love PROMPT? I've brainstormed a few potentials:

1) PROMPTEES

2) PROMPTenadors

3) Your hands are cold! (I hear this enough...it's got potential in the running)

4) PROMPTing People

5) PROMPTing peeps

6) Face Ticklers (this is how I explain it to my preschoolers, "I'm gonna tickle your face, it might feel funny")

7) PROMPTettes

What do you think? Let me know!

For those who have taken the plunge into learning this intense and wonderful technique, please take a look at some lexicons I've shared:

Toca Boca Tea Party

Toca Boca Doctor

Monster at the end of this Book/Another Monster at the end of this Book

Miny Moe Car

Bamba Ice-Cream/Burger

Visit the PROMPTinstitute's site to find a course near you! 

What are you waiting for, you could be a "insert nickname here".

***These thoughts and ideas are my own.  I am not receiving compensation from the PROMPT institute, nor have any PROMPT officials agreed on a nickname.  I have completed the Introductory course/training as well as the self-study project and the Bridging Course.  You must be PROMPT trained to provided PROMPT intervention. If anyone at the PROMPT institute reads this and WANTS to pay me...I won't say no. I accept cash, coffee or donuts.***

SmartReview

I've made the jump from "PROMPT trained" to "Bridged".  It's been an exciting adventure and I'm anxious to continue to learn and hone all my PROMPT skills.

After the Bridging course, I purchased the SmarTools (Cards and CD).  The PROMPT institute offers a wonderful discount for those who buy them through the instructor after either Intro or Bridging.  I highly recommend these products.

CD:
The CD allows you to add clients, input client information and even take daily session notes! Every client folder also allows the user to complete the SAO/MSH and pick goals from a wide variety of pre-written goals!  This has been very helpful in making the transition from trained to bridged!

The CD also has components to look up specific words/phrases based on stages/goals as well as activities!

Cards:
The cards are a photo card set based on PROMPT systems and motor speech hierarchy.  They are divided into 5 stages (phonotory, mandibular, labial-facial, lingual and sequenced movements).  Each card deck has 26 word pairs. This is another wonderful transition tool, as I'm finding it easier to navigate stages.

Heads Up...I'm back!

After a long hiatus, I'm back. Hoping to connect with some parents to help them chose and use apps and activities for speech therapy!

So, this is one of my new FAVORITE games. Of all time. Ever! 

Ellen DeGeneres is a DeGenuis! A simple "Heads-bands" type game, keeps kids and adults entertained while working on various speech goals.

Players can pick various categories (I use "just for kids", cause there's a smattering of everything: people/places/things). Place the iPhone/iPad on your head and the other players describe the item! If you are able to guess correctly turn the iDevice down, if you are having trouble you may pass it by turning the iDevice up/over your head.

LANGUAGE:

Expressive: adjectives, describing, antonyms, synonyms, using word finding strategies

Receptive: (understanding all the above!), word finding strategies, follow directions

*Follow directions/understanding figurative language: I always use the phrase "It's over your head" (you don't get it) to explain the correct/pass rules. 

PRAGMATICS:

turn taking, controlling voice volume & remaining in your seat (things can get crazy!)

Just keep playing. Just keep playing.

It looked like just another mundane post...but it wasn't another mundane post!

This is a great and simple activity for identifying simple objects (some doozies in it "Great Horned Owl", "Angel"). After you read the book you can make your own spilt milk clouds!

Squeeze paint in the middle of the page (*I added sparkles for something special*), fold the page in half, press down and open.

I looked like a sheep....but it wasn't a sheep!

PROMPT:

*Use a carrier phrase "It looked like a ______, but was it?!" the child can respond "No"

Language:

Sequence, answer simple "WH" questions

Don't Let this post get by....

Mo Willems has done it, time and time again! Author and illustrator of the "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" (caldecott honor) and many others.

I love this interactive book.  My kids love to yell "NO!" when the pigeon asks to drive the bus.  My strong willed preschoolers occasionally are swayed when the pigeon offers them $5 bucks...but are easily redirected when reminded, "The bus driver said, don't let the pigeon drive the bus!" They then enthusiastically yell, "NO!"

**Hello labial-facial control!**

Best yet, there's an app for that! "Don't let the pigeon run this app".  This allows the user to create their very own pigeon story! The "chick" makes up a different story every use, "little pigeon" allows the user to choose different items from a field of three and "big pigeon" allows the user to answer questions using their own words/voice!  The author Mo Willems even teaches you to draw the pigeon in a step-by-step!

PROMPT:
Labial-Facial control: no, mo

Language:
Answer "Wh" questions, simple sequence

Don't let this book and app pass you by!

Hungry for Summer!

Here's a few activities that keep my clients compliant and engaged throughout the entire session! Read the book, make some art and of course play on the iPad!

READ THE BOOK:
I've been on a "Hungry Caterpillar" kick!  First I read the story to my clients and tell them they will read the story.  All my Pre-Schoolers tell me, "But I can't read!" I assure them they can!  Then using felt pieces I made (A.C. Moore sells iron on paper! I just scan and iron onto white felt) my clients "read" the story.  It's great to see how proud they are when they finish and I get to tell them they read the story!

*Leave a comment with your e-mail address and I can send you a copy of the pieces so you don't have to scan!*

ART PROJECT:
A fun companion activity we do after is we make our own symmetrical butterflies.  Using scented dot markers (Wal-mart!) we make dots and designs and fold our paper in half to make symmetrical designs.  The kids think it's neat, I love the dot markers cause they don't make a mess and we get to explore some sensory integration with smell!

*Remember those great markers your elementary art teacher let you use! Check out all their products*

INCORPORATE THE BELOVED iPAD:
I was able to grab this app during a free app sensational sale (Check it out)! I have my kids follow directions and practice counting!

ARTICULATION
need, dot, more, me, same, mmmm, one, two

Mandibular control: dot, need
Labial-Facial control: more, me, same, mmmm
Lingual control: one, two

LANGUAGE

sequence; first/next/then/last, labeling (food items), counting, answering/asking "WH?", predicting ("What do you think yellow will smell like?"), follow directions

Smell ya later!

Make your own bubbles

Sunny days are ahead. My clients and I have been enjoying the weather during our sessions.  One of my new favorite activities is making bubbles.  That's right 4 easy steps to mixing up your very own bubble solution. I have included the recipe below, however I just estimate and add soap/glycerin until the solution is making bubbles that last.

1 gallon of water

2/3 cup of Dawn or Joy dishwashing liquid (Joy works better)

3 to 4 table spoons of glycerin (available at drugstores)

stir

*ta-da!* 

(recipe courtesy of Newsday 7/27/11)

PROMPT: labial-facial, mandibular, lingual control

pop, more, oh-no, gone, wand

LANGUAGE: sequence (cut out pictures above to make cards), WH? questions, requests, action words (stir/mix, pop, run, reach)

PRAGMATICS: turn-taking

Have a towel handy, things can get messy! 

(But not dirty, cause it's soap!)