"Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say." Imagine journeying through life without the means to communicate with the world around you. This is, unfortunately, the case for many of the students I am blessed to work with on a daily basis. I serve as a speech-language pathologist at a developmental preschool in a low-socioeconomic area located near Indianapolis, IN.
Every student I assist presents with a unique set of strengths and I feel it is my job to build off his or her strengths.
The students I am surrounded by daily have a variety of disabilities ranging from Down syndrome to severe cognitive disabilities, to all types of autism. While the students exhibit their own set of challenges, the joy they bring to me on a daily basis far outweighs any negatives. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to make even the slightest impact on the lives of each one of my students.
My Project
Do your parents remember the first word you ever spoke? Do you remember the first word your child/children ever spoke? It's safe to say that many of you would reply "yes" to these questions and continue in excitement recalling what these words were. First words typically occur around 1 year of age! Incredible. And did you know that a young child's first word(s) ultimately shapes their language skills starting from that very moment on? Did you also know that unfortunately, some children do not speak their first word until much later than 1 year of age? Many of these students being those I support in the preschool setting daily. Research has proven that in the earliest years of life, children (ages 0-5) learn words/vocabulary most effectively through play routines and real-life situations. So how do we bring these realistic situations to life in a fun and natural way outside of their normal environment?
The answer is as simple as play and toys!
I am no stranger to the fact that there are millions of toys on the market. Some good and some definitely not so good. Why did I choose these specific toys as part of my project? All the toys I have selected serve an intentional/purposeful place in helping my students with special needs learn to communicate functionally in a highly motivating way. These toys teach my students the academic concepts of colors, shapes, locations, and categories. While also illustrating to my students the foundational ideas of core words, natural consequences, cause and effect, and socially appropriate versus inappropriate behaviors. All of which are things that are crucial for communicators to be successful. And wouldn't it be a shame if we weren't able to reach these students and provide them with the hope of a "first word"?
ThinkFun Roll and Play Game for Toddlers - Your Child's First Game! Award Winning and Fun Toddler Game for Parents and Kids
• Amazon Business
$25.99
1
$25.99
TOP BRIGHT Magnetic Toddler Toy Game Set, Fine Motor Skill Preschool Toys, Pretend Play for Girl and Boy 2 Years Old, Catching and Feeding Game
• Amazon Business
$19.97
1
$19.97
Wonder Forge Apple Pop Game Board Game
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
The Classic TOMY Mr. Mouth Feed The Frog Game
• Amazon Business
$15.46
1
$15.46
Banana Blast by Goliath
• Amazon Business
$14.88
1
$14.88
Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Amazon Business
$11.88
1
$11.88
Goliath Games GL31225.006 Dragon Snacks, Fun Memory Game, for Kids Aged 4+
• Amazon Business
$11.01
1
$11.01
Educational Insights Shelby The Pug Snack Shack Counting Game: Early Math Preschool Game
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Pressman Squiggly Worms
• Amazon Business
$10.70
1
$10.70
Educational Insights Raccoon Rumpus Game - Matching Game
• Amazon Business
$10.49
1
$10.49
Hasbro Gaming Porcupine Pop Game for Kids Ages 4 & Up
• Amazon Business
$10.07
1
$10.07
Baa Baa Bubbles The Bubble-Blasting Sheep Kids Game with Interactive Sneezing Sheep
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Soggy Doggy Board Game for Kids with Interactive Dog Toy
• Amazon Business
$9.94
1
$9.94
Materials cost
$208.35
Vendor shipping charges
$15.35
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.13
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$256.83
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$45.32
Total project goal
$302.15
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$302.15
3 Donors
-$302.15
Donations toward project cost
-$256.83
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Miller and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
