Kids with Language Delays Make Father's Day Gift

Gift Booklets Offer Language Practice and Help for Dad

May 30, 2009
Lynn Moore

Create Gifts for Dad - chantelle1113

Father's Day is fast approaching. Consider letting the child with language delays create a gift booklet with sentence patterns.

Kids with language delays do not have to be out of the gift-giving loop on Father's Day. Nor do they have to give traditional, store-bought gifts. Creating a helper book for Dad is an innovative and unique way to tell him he is important.

Materials to Make a Language Pattern Gift Book

The materials for this gift project can be simple or elaborate. Plain white paper, crayons and or markers, and a stapler can make an adequate book. Fancier decorations such as stickers can be added. More detailed booklets can be made with digital photos.

Steps to Making a Gift Book

Several simple steps will lead to a helping Dad gift book that he will remember for use. Most Dads actually put them to use as well!

Create a cover for the booklet. Some kids enjoy writing a clever title. Younger kids or those with more severe language challenges might draw a picture or use art objects to create a design.
The sentence starter “I will help Dad ____________________.” will be used on every page. Older kids will enjoy printing or typing the starter again and again. Others may need the words to be printed for them.
Decide on the tasks that will be done. Print or draw a picture of the tasks, one per page. Here are some examples:

Wash the car
Walk the dog
Get the paper
Get the mail
Pick up my toys
Get a snack
Water the plants

4. If you are using a digital camera, take a picture of the child doing the offered task. Print out the picture on the page with the corresponding sentence.

More Gift Ideas for Dad

There are many other great gift ideas for Dad from the child with language challenges. Perhaps the gift will be something that the two can do and enjoy together. Here are some possibilities:

An outside game
A funny DVD
A picnic basket

Perhaps the gift involves few words. Perhaps it is a memento of the age of the child. Here are some classic Father’s Day crafts that say I love you without anyone speaking a word.

A handprint T-shirt, mug, or plate
A photo of the child or the child and his dad
A special snack, prepared just for Dad

Father’s Day is about the sentiment of loving our dads. It is great if the child can practice the words Happy Father’s Day! I love you! However, the important thing is that the feeling is conveyed. A helper gift booklet is a wonderful way for the child to show his love.

Lynn Moore - Moore is a freelance writer, experienced special education teacher, and mother of two. She has worked as a developmental therapist for ...