Winter break is a wonderful time for children and families to relax, celebrate the season, and create lasting memories. For children in speech therapy, this break also provides an opportunity to strengthen the skills they've been working on while enjoying fun, enriching activities. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist in the Chicagoland area, I often encourage families to integrate speech and language development into everyday experiences. This not only helps maintain progress but also shows children how communication skills can enrich their daily lives.
Here are some engaging and family-friendly winter break activities in the Chicagoland area that can help children continue to grow their speech and language skills.
1. Visit the Chicago Children's Museum
Location: Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago
The Chicago Children's Museum offers an interactive and sensory-rich environment that encourages play-based learning. From building structures in the Tinkering Lab to exploring imaginative play in the Kid's Town exhibit, children have plenty of opportunities to practice expressive and receptive language skills.
Speech and Language Tips:
Narrate Play: Encourage your child to describe what they’re building or doing during activities. For example, "I'm using the red blocks to make a tall tower!"
Ask Open-Ended Questions: “What do you think we should do next?” or “Why did you choose that color?” prompts critical thinking and language development.
Practice Social Skills: Help your child engage with other children in the exhibits by encouraging greetings, sharing, and turn-taking.
2. Explore the Shedd Aquarium
Location: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
The Shedd Aquarium is a magical place to visit during winter break. Children can learn about marine life while practicing vocabulary, listening skills, and even sequencing.
Speech and Language Tips:
Vocabulary Building: Encourage your child to name the animals they see and describe them. For example, “The penguin is black and white. It waddles when it walks.”
Practice WH-Questions: Ask questions like, “Where does a sea turtle live?” or “What do you think the dolphins are eating?”
Story Retelling: After your visit, have your child recount their favorite part of the trip. Sequencing the events helps with narrative skills.
3. Bake Holiday Treats Together
Cooking or baking is an excellent way to incorporate language skills into a fun and tasty activity. Whether you're baking cookies or making hot chocolate, there are plenty of ways to integrate speech and language practice.
Speech and Language Tips:
Following Directions: Have your child follow simple or multi-step instructions, such as “Pour the sugar into the bowl” or “Mix the flour and butter together.”
Vocabulary Expansion: Introduce new words like "measure," "ingredients," and "dough."
Descriptive Language: Encourage your child to describe the textures, smells, and tastes of the ingredients. For example, “The dough is sticky!”
4. Attend a Story time Event at the Library
Locations: Check your local library for winter-themed story time sessions. Many libraries in the Chicagoland area, such as the Harold Washington Library Center or the Evanston Public Library, offer special winter programming.
Storytime provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in literacy and language activities. Listening to stories helps children improve attention, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Speech and Language Tips:
Engage During Storytime: Whisper questions or comments to your child as the story unfolds, such as “What do you think will happen next?”
Act It Out: After the story, act it out together using props or toys. This encourages creativity and reinforces understanding of the story’s sequence.
Phonological Awareness: Identify rhyming words or clap out syllables in longer words to build early literacy skills.
5. Take a Nature Walk at Morton Arboretum
Location: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL
Winter at Morton Arboretum is a beautiful sight, especially during their Illumination Tree Lights event. Whether you’re enjoying the lights or simply taking a peaceful nature walk, the arboretum provides a serene setting to practice descriptive language and sensory vocabulary.
Speech and Language Tips:
Descriptive Vocabulary: Encourage your child to describe what they see, hear, and feel. For example, “The snow is soft and crunchy under my boots.”
Practice Positional Concepts: Use language like "above," "under," and "next to" while exploring. For example, “Look at the lights above the trees.”
Creative Storytelling: Have your child create a winter-themed story based on what they see during the walk.
6. Engage in Sensory Play at Kohl Children’s Museum
Location: 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL
The Kohl Children’s Museum is perfect for younger children who benefit from hands-on sensory experiences. Exhibits like "Water Works" and "Hands-On House" encourage exploration while promoting language skills.
Speech and Language Tips:
Requesting and Labeling: Encourage your child to ask for specific items during activities, like “I need the blue sponge.”
Turn-Taking: Practice social communication by taking turns during shared activities.
Problem-Solving Language: Ask open-ended questions like, “How can we make the water move faster?”
7. Create Holiday Cards for Family and Friends
Crafting holiday cards is not only a meaningful activity but also a great way to practice fine motor skills and expressive language.
Speech and Language Tips:
Sentence Formation: Help your child write simple sentences like, “Happy Holidays! I hope you have a great winter!”
Expressive Language: Encourage your child to think of kind messages to share, such as “Thank you for being my friend!”
Storytelling: If your child includes a drawing, have them describe what they drew and why.
8. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry – Christmas Around the World
Location: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
This annual exhibit celebrates global holiday traditions with decorated trees and cultural displays. It’s an excellent way to teach children about diversity while promoting vocabulary and conversational skills.
Speech and Language Tips:
Compare and Contrast: Talk about the similarities and differences between the traditions displayed.
Ask Questions: “What do you notice about this tree?” or “How is this tradition different from what we do?”
Narrative Practice: Have your child explain your family’s holiday traditions to you.
9. Build Snow Creations
If Chicago graces us with snow this winter, building snowmen, snow forts, or snow angels can be a fun way to incorporate language practice outdoors.
Speech and Language Tips:
Give and Follow Directions: Practice language by directing each other, such as “Roll the ball bigger!” or “Put the stick arms here.”
Use Imaginative Play: Pretend your snowman is a character and make up stories about its adventures.
Practice Adjectives: Describe your snow creation using words like “big,” “round,” “cold,” or “sparkly.”
10. Watch a Family-Friendly Theater Performance
Locations: Check out theaters like the Chicago Children’s Theatre or the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire for kid-friendly holiday performances.
Live performances provide a great opportunity to build listening and comprehension skills while enjoying a shared experience as a family.
Speech and Language Tips:
Predict the Story: Before the show starts, ask your child what they think will happen based on the title or poster.
Discuss the Plot: After the performance, talk about what happened, focusing on beginning, middle, and end.
Expand Vocabulary: Introduce new words from the performance and use them in sentences.
Keep Progress Going Over Winter Break
The winter break doesn’t have to mean a pause in speech therapy progress. By integrating speech and language activities into your family’s holiday traditions, you can help your child continue to build their communication skills in a natural and meaningful way.
If your child is in speech therapy, talk with their therapist about specific skills to target during the break and how to incorporate them into daily routines. Remember, communication is everywhere, and even small moments—like reading a holiday book, singing songs, or decorating the tree—can make a big difference.
For more information on fun and engaging ways to improve your child's communication skills, contact us at info@bmstherapygroup.com
Have a safe, happy, and language-filled winter break!