What You’ll Need:
✅ A playmat or smash mat with pictures (these can be themed, like animals, food, or emotions)
✅ Small objects, stickers, a dry-erase marker, or playdough (optional, depending on your activity)
✅ Your child’s preferred reinforcer (snack, toy, bubbles, etc., if needed for motivation)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Introduce the Playmat/Smash Mat
🗣 Say: “Look! We have a fun mat with pictures on it! Let’s play together.”
👀 Show your child the mat and talk about what’s on it. If it has animals, name a few: “Here’s a dog! Here’s a cat!”
2. Choose a Target Skill
Decide what you want to work on based on your child’s level:
🔹 For Labeling Vocabulary: Ask, “What’s this?” and help them name the pictures.
🔹 For Imitation: Model the word and encourage your child to repeat it.
🔹 For Expanding Sentences: Add words (e.g., “Big dog!” or “The dog is running!”).
🔹 For Making Choices: Let them pick between two pictures (“Do you want the apple or banana?”).
🔹 For Using AAC/GoTalk: Help them find the correct button or picture to match the mat.
3. Make It Fun with Actions!
Depending on the type of mat, encourage interaction:
🎯 Smash Mat (for playdough, stickers, or smashing objects)
- Say a word, then squish playdough or place a sticker on the picture.
- Example: “Say ‘apple’—smash the apple!”
🎲 Playmat (for movement or placing objects) - Place small toys or tokens on the pictures when your child names them.
- Example: “Put the car on the road!”
4. Keep It Interactive
✔️ Use gestures, facial expressions, and sound effects to keep your child engaged.
✔️ If they struggle, model the correct response and encourage them to try again.
✔️ Praise all efforts! “Great try!” or “You said ‘cat’—awesome!”
5. Wrap Up and Reinforce Learning
🎉 Dear Parent! Celebrate your child's effort by playing with a favorite toy or giving a high-five.
🔄 Review the words one last time: “Wow, we talked about so many animals today! We saw a dog, a cat, and a bird!”
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