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Winter break is a time filled with fun, family, and adventure. It's also the perfect opportunity to help your child update their AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, so they can share all the exciting things they've done over the holidays with their friends and classmates. Whether it was building snowmen, enjoying cozy movie nights, or trying something new, it’s important for your child to be able to express their experiences and connect with others.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some simple ways to update your child’s AAC device to reflect their winter break activities and make it easier for them to share their fun memories with friends. Let's get started!
1. Add Winter Break Vocabulary
First, review your child’s AAC device and see if there are any new words or phrases they might want to use to describe their winter break. This could include things like:
Winter activities: Snow, ice skating, sledding, snowball fight, hot chocolate, fireplace, snowman, mittens, etc.
Winter holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, Kwanzaa, etc.
Weather: Cold, snowing, freezing, windy, clear skies, etc.
Favorite activities: Family trip, visiting relatives, holiday decorations, presents, cookies, or anything else they enjoyed.
By adding these new words, your child will have the vocabulary they need to share their experiences.
2. Create a “Winter Break” Folder
If your child’s AAC system has customizable folders or pages, consider creating a new “Winter Break” folder. This folder can include all of the winter-related vocabulary your child will need to express themselves during this time. For example:
Create buttons for specific winter activities.
Add photos of your child’s winter adventures (like a snowman they built or a family trip) to make the page more engaging.
Consider adding a “Favorite Moments” section where your child can share specific highlights, like “I went sledding” or “I saw Santa!”
3. Personalized Phrases
If your child has favorite phrases they use, now’s the time to update them for the holidays! Some examples of personalized phrases could include:
“I want to build a snowman.”
“I love hot chocolate!”
“I saw fireworks for New Year’s.”
“We went ice skating at the park.”
Let your child help choose which phrases feel most personal and fun for them. Giving them the freedom to select will make it more meaningful for them to use.
4. Engage with Friends
One of the best parts of winter break is the chance to connect with friends. Update your child’s AAC device with communication tools that allow them to share about their break with their peers. You can add conversational prompts, such as:
“What did you do over winter break?”
“Tell me about your holiday!”
“I went to see family.”
“Do you like snow?”
By incorporating these conversational phrases, your child can engage with others, learn about their friends' holidays, and build social connections.
5. Keep it Fun and Interactive
Children are more likely to use their AAC device when it’s fun and interactive. Encourage your child to share their winter break highlights through different forms of media:
Record video clips of their favorite moments (e.g., building a snowman, opening presents) and upload them to their device, so they can show them to others.
Add stickers or fun symbols that represent their activities—this can be especially engaging for younger users.
Use interactive games or apps related to winter activities that they can play with peers, adding vocabulary related to those activities as part of the experience.
6. Celebrate New Experiences
Winter break is an excellent time to introduce new words and activities your child can use going forward. If they tried something new—whether it was a snow-related sport, a new family tradition, or a favorite holiday food—add those words and phrases to their device. This will help them continue to express themselves and feel proud of their new experiences.
7. Review Together
Once you’ve updated your child’s device, spend some time going through it together. Encourage them to practice using the new vocabulary, phrases, and folders you’ve added. You can make it a fun activity by having them “tell” you about their break and then practicing sharing their adventures with friends or family.
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Winter break is a time of joy and discovery, and it’s the perfect opportunity to update your child’s AAC device to help them share their experiences. Whether it’s expressing the excitement of snow days or talking about fun family traditions, your child’s device can be a powerful tool for communication. By making the vocabulary fun, relevant, and personalized, you can help your child engage with their peers and share their winter break adventures with ease!
We’d love to hear how you’ve updated your child’s AAC device for winter break! Feel free to share your ideas and successes in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need support or inspiration.
Happy winter sharing! ❄️