11/04/2022
You probably already know about language expansions--they're some of the bread and butter of early intervention, after all!
But what if we applied this concept to play skills, too. Play expansions help the child see new ideas for how to engage with toys, hear the language associated with them, and give them an opportunity to imitate without demands or instructions to do so.
Members can get more details on the benefits of this intervention, plus a printable caregiver handout at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/think-language-expansions-but-for-play
http://doi.org/10.1177/0271121410378758
[Visual Description: Image is titled, "Think language expansions... but for play! How to support functional play skills without prompting." The first cartoon is labeled, "When your child is playing..." showing a child's hand playing with a car. The next car is labeled, "Join in, imitate, and describe" showing both an adult and child hand playing with their own cars. The adult is saying, "The cars are fast!" The next cartoons are labeled, "Then expand your play and describe like this..." The first cartoon shows a car going into a box and is labeled, "Add objects." The adult is saying, "Let's park in the garage." The second cartoon shows two cars bumping into each other and is labeled, "Use the toy in a different way." The adult is saying, "Crash! Watch out!" The third cartoon shows a hand cleaning a car with a tissue and is labeled, "Do something to the toy". The adult is saying, "Time to wash the car!" The fourth cartoon has a toy person riding in the car and is labeled, "Make toys interact with each other." The adult is saying, "Go, driver, go!"]
