Free Printables for Peekaboo Morning, A Predictable Book by Rachel Isadora

One of Noah’s favorite words these days is

Boo!

In hopes of working in some additional sounds, I was eager to leap to peekaboo.  That’s how I came across this classic children’s book.

So many language concepts and so many opportunities for extension activities in this adorable picture book!  The first page shows the child looking at a clue (the puppy’s tail) and saying “Peek-a-Boo I see . . .”  Turn the page to find the item the child was in pursuit of along with text that names the item:  My mommy, my daddy, me, my puppy, my train, my grandma, my grandpa, a bunny, a butterfly, my friend,  and you.

American Sign Language:  All these phrases Noah just happens to know in American Sign Language (ASL), so we were able to sign the entire book.  Click below for ASL printable flashcards for family names.  The graphics are from www.babysignlanguage.com.

And for the other words in Peekab00 Morning in ASL, click here:  Peekaboo Morning ASL.  If you are not familiar with these signs, you will want to use a free ASL site with video clips like www.lifeprint..com or www.aslpro.com to learn the sign and just use the flashcards as prompts or reminders.

Target Words: My, mommy, daddy, me, puppy, train (choo choo), and bunny are all words Noah can say.  We used reading this story as articulation practice by me reading the words and pausing before the words associated with the pictures.  Noah takes those cues well and will usually say the target word as I point to the picture.  Depending on the mood he is in, I will often then repeat it back to him and wait for him to say it again two more times, refining his articulation as needed.

Language Concepts:  This is a fabulous book for reinforcing the names of family members.  Mommy, Daddy, me, Grandpa and Grandma are all used within the text.  (Make sure to read the end of this article for a Family member extension activity.)

Sequencing: The nature of this book makes it a great opportunity for sequencing practice.  Here are free printable PEC cards based on the story to use in a sequencing activity:

Peekaboo Morning Sequencing Cards

I cut, laminated and stuck a magnet on the back of these.  Same idea as using Velcro for a PEC story board – just spicing it up a bit.  As we read the book, Noah finds the PEC that matches the object on the page and places it in order on a metal cookie sheet, refrigerator or (metal) door.

Repetitive Phrases: “Peekaboo, I see . . .” appears on each two-page spread, prompting lots of hits on this target word.  To help elicit speech from Noah, I would cover my eyes and then slowly spread my fingers apart and say “Peek-a-Boo.”  He would join in and say “Boo!” Then I would go back and say “peek” until he attempted the longer utterance of “peek-a-boo.”

Predictable Language: This is my favorite aspect of this adorable book.  On most of the “Peek-a-boo, I see . . .” pages, there is a small visual clue as to what will be on the next page, a puppy’s tail, a grandma’s hat, a newspaper hiding a grandpa, etc.  By drawing your child’s attention to that small detail, he can very excitedly guess what will be on the next page.  Noah loved this, although he started signing butterfly halfway through the book, knowing it would be coming up soon.  I love that he was so excited about what he knew was coming.  His love of books is so encouraging to me!

Extension Activity: Make your own Peekaboo Morning book based on your child’s target words using photographs.  Take pictures of his favorite people and things, and create pages with text that read “Peek-a-Boo, I see . . .” alternating with the pictures of the object and appropriate text labeling.  This is a fun way for parents to make books about family life as well as for teachers and therapists to make books about friends. activities, and teachers at school.

For other language-rich picture book ideas for speech therapy, please visit my Language-Rich Picture Books and Extension Ideas page at http://wordsofhisheart.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2647&action=edit.

Related articles

• Cowboy Camp – Literature Extension Activities for Speech and Language Development (wordsofhisheart.wordpress.com)
• The Best Apps for Learning Sign Language (healthyhearing.com)
• Following Directions – Free Cut and Paste Printable (wordsofhisheart.wordpress.com)
• More Positional Words – A Free Winter-Themed Printable Book (wordsofhisheart.wordpress.com)

Red Truck

I was trying to clean one side of the house, when I heard a familiar wail coming from the other side of the house.  Soon, a tear-stained Noah arrived at my side wanting my attention.

Ah, I see the hand coming to the face, he’s going to sign.

Index finger brushing lips and curling into palm (red).  Two fists formed as if gripping a large steering wheel (truck).

Did you catch that?  That was a two-word phrase.  Unsolicited.  From my 6-year-old with Down syndrome and suspected apraxia.

The only time I get more than a one-word utterance is if Noah is signing something that starts “I want” or ends with “please.”

(It turns out he was playing with the red truck and Seth grabbed it away from him.)

This is a HUGE, HUGE milestone in speech and language development.  It usually precedes a huge spurt in language acquisition.  I’m not sure what this means for Noah, so I have to remind myself to be fully present and rejoice in the moment we’re in.

I found a great article about two-word phrases and their significance in the area of speech and language pathology here:  http://www.talkingkids.org/2011/06/two-word-phrases-what-to-expect-and-how.html?showComment=1350842030220#c7350308075385837754.

Free Sign Language Printables for Fall

Now that the weather is FINALLY cooling down here in Central Texas, my attention has turned towards fall.  We’re always looking for sign language words to work into our vocabulary since Noah (5-Down syndrome) is still largely dependent on signs.  Here are printable ASL flash cards for football, cold, coat, autumn, tree, acorn, leaf, rake, red, yellow, orange, birds, fly, south, corn, apples, pumpkins, rake, harvest and Thanksgiving.

asl Fall Autumn

Use these cards to suit your needs.  I usually cut them out, leave the description and the graphic together, and post them on the wall in the room where they’ll be used the most.  This set I may just staple into a little book to use for quick reference during reading and craft time.  Another idea that works for us is to cut out the graphic and paste it to a book we’ll be reading that uses those words.  That way there’s no shuffling for the right sign and no excuse not to learn it.  You can also use them as flash cards for review with your older kids by stapling the description to the back of the graphic.  After you’ve spent time with your children learning the signs, flash the graphic at your child and have him give you the correct sign and word.  (Of course you’ll want to trim off the word under the picture once a challenge is needed.)  Much thanks goes out to Dr. Bill Vicars of www.lifeprint.com for giving me the permission to use his graphics for most of these cards.

If you’re looking for the fall months in ASL (American Sign Language), here’s a quick reference sheet for the months:  http://www.lessontutor.com/ees_time_pt1.html

Looking for indians and pilgrims and turkeys and such?  Not to worry.  Since Thanksgiving has a whole vocabulary list of its own, I’m hoping to do another post with flashcards for that special holiday.

Enjoy the weather – and is it just me or are the stores selling eggnog earlier and earlier every year?