Hekman/Pell December Group Update:

Speech:
Dear Family & Friends,
Our book for December will be Gingerbread Baby, by Jan Brett. The book is a bit lengthy and has only a few repetitive phrases (i.e. “Run, run as fast as you can. Catch me if you can!”), making this book not as predictable as the others we will focus on in the year. I have modified the book to compile a “short version” that uses more repetitions and simplified language.  I will send a copy home with your child. I chose this book because of the holiday season. Along with the Holiday theme, it’s a great book that focuses on winter activities, an array of action words, and a slew of animals. Plus if you have access to the internet, just google “gingerbread man activities” and you will have a plethora of fun and interactive activities you can do at home. If you have Pinterest-that is a great resource too! ;) Along with the book, our activities within groups will be oriented around the gingerbread theme that focus on requesting, asking questions, commenting, and turn-taking. Here’s what to work on at home:
Be sure to emphasize the sounds for them as a model. Here is a list of vocabulary to focus on:
Verbs: mix, cook, listen, peek, prance, catch, tumble, ran, sprang, climb, hear, yell, shout, look, stop, wink, tie, toss, smell, trap, dance, sing, jump, creep, lick, hide, tweak, open, clap, live 
Phrases: “catch me if you can,” “run fox, run cat, run gingerbread baby,” “turn the page,” “my turn, your turn” + make animal sounds
Suggested activities: 

1. Memory game-After you read the book, close it and then ask your child who the gingerbread baby was running away from. See what animals your child remembers from the book. 
2. Action acting: Play Simon Says or act out the actions you read in the book. You can also act out the animals. Get siblings involved and make a game out of it. Talk about how the verb may change after it happens (i.e. he is baking cookies, he baked the cookie).
3. Talk about winter time activities (i.e. how you dress to go outside, making cookies at home, Christmas time traditions, outdoor activities)
4. Bake cookies at home. Have your child help you by giving them directions (i.e. pour in the flour and stir).  

Thanks for all of your practice at home!
Happy Holidays!
-Miss KlucK

OT:
Our focus for the month of December will continue to be in the areas of strengthening your kids tummy and core muscles, weight bearing on arms/legs, and shifting of weight to get their bodies ready for transitional movements, such as getting up from a chair or the floor.  We will also focus on using one hand to complete activities!  We will be including some fun holiday activities, such as; penguin bowling, jingle bell bracelets, passing/throwing items through wreaths, gingerbread man building, snowball/snowman activities, identifying items in a stocking by feel only, fun with Santa’s sleigh/presents, and decorating a Christmas tree.
Ms. Sandy and Ms. Jill

PT:
For December we will focusing on 3 pieces of equipment.  1)trampoline: we will work on coordination ex's like jumping jacks and x-country skiing. 2)Balance Beam: we will work on balance skills. 3)Mat on the floor: we will work on push ups, sit ups and other trunk strengthening ex's. 

Social:
We will be working on learning the process and independence of putting our winter gear on.  Please try to encourage your kids to do this independently at home as well.  We have sent home a list of the order in which we are teaching it here at school which may be helpful.  We will also be spending sometime looking at Christmas traditions and activities your family does at Christmas i.e.. putting up a christmas tree, making christmas cookies.  The last week we will emphasize what happens on Christmas break and a fun book they can share with you  Christmas vacation.  

We will try this month to get some great pictures of the kids to share with you!!!!  Happy Holidays!!!!!!