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Resources - Activities Can Teach

Food For Thought

Food For Thought
Learning can be fun and interactive. These tips and activities describe how to take advantage of teachable moments that occur throughout the day to supplement and support the child's learning. Learn how you can turn putting away groceries into a fun game that pairs objects with their functional use.

Activity:
Food For Thought

Targeted Skill:
Pairing common items/objects with how the child uses them (the function)

Materials:
Items from your grocery bag as you are putting the groceries away, or any items in your kitchen cupboards that the child uses frequently.

Plan:

  1. Set several items out in your child’s reach, possibly on a table, counter or floor. 

  2. Let your child know that you need help putting the groceries away.

  3. Ask your child to hand you something by describing what the child uses it for.  For example:

    1. “Hand me the one you dip your French fries in” (for ketchup)

    2. “Give me the one you pour on your cereal” (for milk)

    3. “Hand me the one we use to bake cookies” (for chocolate chips)

    4. “Show me the one we put on peanut butter sandwiches” (for jelly)

  4. If your child hands you the correct item, then verbally reinforce “You’re right, you dip your French fries in ketchup.” 

  5. If they do not get the correct item, then describe what the item they picked up is for. “Salad dressing goes on lettuce, you dip your French fries in ketchup.”

This activity can be modified to focus on a variety of different skills such as color identification, shape, size and quantity.

Do you have an activity you would like to share?
If you have an activity you find helpful and fun, please send us your activity for consideration on the "Activities Can Teach" portion of our website and newsletter. [please review our terms]

Need ideas for an activity that practices on a targeted skill? Send us an email.

Contact: Lindsay Randle
Speech-Language Pathologist

 
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