Expressive language problems like word finding don’t go on vacation. Are you on winter break? I certainly have been! Decorating, cards, gifts, family in town, parties….who has time to blog? But that’s my point – kids who have difficulty retrieving words don’t get a break. They continue to struggle to express themselves regardless of the calendar.
The break they do get is from the curriculum. Most of the vocabulary children use when they are home and away from school is familiar and frequently used. Remember that the two things that impact retrieval most are frequency of use and recency of use. Therefore, they may not experience as much frustration finding the words they need when they are home and participating in routine activities. But help them prepare for the social situations that are so much a part of the holidays.
Parents can help their children by priming them in advance with the language they need. Try to have them use the names of aunts, uncles, and cousins they only see a few times each year. Perhaps New Year’s Eve will present them with experiences like watching the crystal ball drop (maybe on TV) and the Rose Bowl parade. Does your family make New Year’s resolutions? If you are lucky enough to be taking a family vacation, anticipate the specific vocabulary they will be using. Using these words in a conversation will help your child retrieve them when they are needed. Create a context which will elicit those specific vocabulary words. It’s not enough to understand their meaning. A child also needs to practice saying them aloud.
Holiday time is family time. Enjoy communicating with your children about their experiences!