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From: Bobby Childers
Date: 10/16/01
Time: 8:14:53 PM
Remote Name: 216.234.193.75
One of the things my children did when they were in elementary school was to get involved in school plays. I used to try this when I was in grade school, but the time was different, and “different speaking” people were not encouraged to be in plays. I instead got stuck being a part of the stage crew.
If you work with a number of children, you might have them develop some short skits (15 minutes or less) that they can give to their classes. It would give the kids a chance to practice their speaking techniques, and to exercise their imaginations. You might be able to talk their teachers into giving some extra credit for the kids…extra incentive!!!
You might try to schedule a field trip with some of the parents to a local mall, or fast food restaurant, or ice cream shop (personally I prefer Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Fudge), and let the kids do all the ordering for the entire group. They can take turns (ordering for their parents or each other). Have the more outgoing kids do it first, and then let the subdued kids try it next after they have seen others try it. Children do learn by observing, even each other.
I wish that when I first started speech therapy way back in the middle 60’s (1960’s not 1860’s) that my therapist would have done something similar. Maybe if she would have, I would have been more inclined to accept my speech much sooner than I did.
Good luck….Bobby