Bath Time Fun! They don't even know they're learning!
- Kristina Davis
- Dec 12, 2020
- 3 min read
Did you know how many opportunities there are to model and learn language in something you do everyday? Ok...maybe not everyday, but at least a few times a week! No judgment here, we bathe every few days in the winter time. Often times kiddos can attend better while in the bath because the bath meets some of their sensory needs. So take advantage of this and pick one of your language targets to work on! Here are some ideas!
1. Work on Body Parts:
a. As you wash the child, tell them what you're washing. "I'm washing your legs!" "I'm washing your tummy!"
b. Have them find their body parts-"Where is your nose?" "Where are your toes?"
(could also have them wash "wash your toes!")
c. Let them choose what you wash! "What should we wash first?"
Modification: Give choices! "Should we wash your arms or legs first?"
2. Imitate actions:
a. You splash, child splashes! You splash again!
b. Using cups to pour and dump
c. Washing body parts (you wash face, child washes face)
d. If you have bath toys (you know the ones that get all disgusting and gross after one bath and you ultimately throw away). Have the duck/fish/whale/etc swim, splash, jump, etc!
**And don't forget-imitate the child also!**
3. Oral Motor
a. Blow bubbles in the bath-put face in water or use a straw
b. Drink from an open cup
c. Make silly faces!
4. Sing songs:
a. My go-to is SING! I like to make up songs such as: "This is the way we wash our hair, wash our hair, wash our hair. This is the way we wash our hair, when we take a bath!"
b. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
c. If You're Happy and You Know It-make up different verses like "touch your toes" "splash the water"
d. Nursery rhymes and focus on gestures
5. Repetitive Language
a. There is so much opportunity for repetition in the bath and, actually, ALL daily routines and activities. Use the same words each time. It's predictable to the child.
b. Narrate the process-"We're going to take a bath. I'm turning on the water. Oh it's still cold! Brr! We need to wait."
c. Emphasize key words-water, bath, on, off, hot, cold, in, out, towel, wet, dry
d. And of course my favorite strategy, WAIT! Go to the bath and WAIT! Don't put the toys in and WAIT. Children will respond in different ways! Some may use gestures (point to tub), vocalizations (ah!), first words (bath, water), or phrases (water on). Modify to meet your child's needs!
Toys:
Bath time can be kept very simple. Put a few cups, bowls and spoons in there and model away. But if you're looking for more, here are some of our favorites!
1. YooKidoo Spin 'n Sort Spout Pro
2. Munchkin Fishing Bath Toy
3. Munchkin Bath Toy-Little Boat Train
4. Dimple Floating Bath Toys
I love having different animals to focus on vocabulary!
You can offer a field of 2 and have the child find the one you name.
You can offer choices and they request which animal they want
They can label or request animals spontaneously
Use actions-swim, jump, splash. For two words phrases combine: turtle swims, duck swims, dolphin jumps, etc.
5. Wind up Toys! Great for working on requesting because it can be hard to turn and make the animal go!
They can ask for MORE,
ask for HELP
fill-in ready, set, GO!
**Also you can get these at the Dollar Store!
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