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November, 2005
Speech Tip of the Month
Computer Time
Today computers are a necessary part of life. Most
kids see their parents on a computer everyday.
Children love to emulate their parents and
participate in “grown up” activities, so using the
computer with your child should be a motivating and
fun activity. Working at the computer will not only
build computer skills, but it can also assist in
teaching basic concepts. Understanding basic
concepts help children become more effective
communicators. They are linked to pre-reading
skills, early mathematic skills and vocabulary. Some
concepts to consider when playing on the computer
with your child are:
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Up/down
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Example: Have the child say “up” to sit in
your lap, and “down” when finished
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On/Off
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Example: Have the child say “on” to turn on
the computer, and “off” when you are
finished. Also, while playing turn off the
monitor every now and then to practice
on/off.
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Yes/No
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While visiting sites, ask you child for
input. Example: “Do you want to play an
Elmo game?”
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More/Again
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Have your child say “more” or “again” when
they liked a particular game, song or video
clip.
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Colors
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There are many coloring activity pages on
the internet. Have your child help choose
the color they want to use in these
activities.
There are many educational sites that incorporate
colorful pictures, intriguing animation and fun
games while learning the alphabet, numbers, colors,
vocabulary…the list goes on and on. Here are some
websites that target particular skills or interests:
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http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/play.htm?f
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http://akidsheart.com/threer/lvl1/abc.htm
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http://www.thewiggles.com.au/games/alphabet/index.html
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http://www.thewiggles.com.au/games/match/match.html
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http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/colorshapes/
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http://akidsheart.com/threer/lvl1/colormeonl.htm
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http://akidsheart.com/threer/lvl1/colorsrt.htm
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http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/pl/page.dohville_studio/dn/default.cfm
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/flash.php?contentId=11230208
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http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/colorshapes/
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http://akidsheart.com/threer/lvl1/mixshapes2.htm
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http://www.paulysplayhouse.com/paulys_playhouse/games/krog.html
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http://games.funschool.com/game_animal_homes.html?g=1003&category=0&level=1
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http://www.paulysplayhouse.com/paulys_playhouse/games/ol_mcpaulys.html
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http://www.hasbro.com/littlestpetshop/pl/page.da/dn/default.cfm
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/games.php?contentId=111180
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/flash.php?contentId=11230208
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/flash.php?contentId=10784439
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http://www.hasbro.com/easybake/pl/page.da/dn/default.cfm
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/games.php?contentId=111260
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http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/games.php?contentId=11270546
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http://www.paulysplayhouse.com/paulys_playhouse/games/rosie.html
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http://www.paulysplayhouse.com/paulys_playhouse/games/luigi.html
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http://www.mothergoose.com/Game_Arcade/online_games.htm
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http://www.fisher-price.com/us/playtime/games/infantGames_B_BS.asp
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http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=gamesLanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us
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http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/
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http://www.kidsdomain.com/kids/links.html
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Popular character
websites
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www.pbskids.org
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www.nick.com
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www.nickjr.com
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www.disney.com
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www.doodlebops.com
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www.thewiggles.com
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www.barbie.com
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www.sesameworkshop.org
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http://www.hitentertainment.com/bobthebuilder/usa/index.html
When your child is first learning about the
computer, it will be best for you to do the
“pointing and clicking” and narrate to your child
what is happening. Then hand-over-hand facilitation
can guide the child to “point and click”. When you
feel your child is ready, let them manipulate the
mouse and play on their own. However, adult
supervision is ALWAYS recommended when using the
internet, as unwanted materials could always
“pop-up”.
Technologically yours,
Meredith B. Sorokwasz M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language
Pathologist
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