There’s “Snow” Better Time for Winter Core Vocabulary
If you think you don’t like winter… A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson might be the right book for you. It’s about a tortoise whose plan is to nap through the cold, dreary winter. His nap keeps getting interrupted by his friends who just want to play with him. Tortoise insists that he does not like winter but ends up discovering the joy in it.
This book is full of core vocabulary and pairs perfectly with winter-themed activities like these…
Toys and Games
Remember the game Don’t Break the Ice? You can now find an updated version called Polar Bear Plunge. Place the blocks of “ice” in the game base – it should be a snug fit – then place the polar bear on top. Take turns gently knocking down the blocks while trying to avoid the polar bear falling through the ice. Using your child’s AAC device, you can model core vocabulary like…
- He is on (top)
- My turn/your turn
- Where?… Here
- Some/all (fell down)
Winter Snacks
Hot Chocolate Station
Make hot chocolate. Add desired toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon, crushed peppermint candies, or whipped cream. Model these core words:
- Make
- Put in
- More/stop
- Like/don’t like
Marshmallow Snowmen
Looking for an excuse to play with your food? Make marshmallow snowmen. Put 3 marshmallows on a skewer and use melted chocolate or small candies to add features like eyes and a nose. You might model core words like…
- Make
- Help
- Put on
- That
Sensory Activity
Gather small toys or figurines (preferably winter-themed). Fill a container with cotton balls and hide the toys in the “snow”. As your child looks for the toys, model these core words on their AAC device:
- Look
- In
- Here
- Get
- More
Gross Motor
Outdoor activities like skating and sledding will get you warmed up and make the cold weather more enjoyable. Model core vocabulary as you play together…
- Go
- Turn
- I can ___
- I like ___
Winter Core Vocabulary Resources
These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg… Check out my core vocabulary story booklets and activities (available for purchase on www.teacherspayteachers.com).
“Getting Dressed in Winter”
This resource is loaded with opportunities to target the core word “on”. Read the simple story and use the clothing visuals to help the character of Abby get dressed for the cold weather.
“How to Build a Snowman”
This resource is about Abby making a snowman. It includes the story booklet and a snowman craft for more core vocabulary practice.
These resources are available individually or as a bundle. They both include a handout about modeling core vocabulary that you can share with other members of your child’s team.
You’re going to have snow much fun 🙂
