BFIAR for Special Needs

[cathy in MD]

I have a special needs 3 yod and am very interested in using BFIAR with her and her 2yob. I am reading and re-reading the book, especailly Part 2, to see how to best work on gross/fine motor skills and speech. Any advice or help in any way would be much appreciated.

[Mechelle in OR]

I do not have any special needs children. However, you can probably get lots of help from people that use or have used BFIAR on the
Special Needs thread:
http://fiveinarow.com/~gbprnhrz/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Blessings!

[Melissa C]

Hi Cathy, :hi: Welcome!

I waited to see if some of the SN moms would reply. (You might try posting this in the Special Needs section as well. Some ladies don't read all the boards if it's not a level they are currently using.) I taught special ed, so here are the suggestions that come to mind.

As for language help, not sure of your dd's level, but I'd say words for her to repeat as much as you can through your day. Just say exactly what is appropriate for her to say so she can repeat it. Generally, I would not require a response unless she is asking for something (so she understanding how communication works). But I'm sure you have a speech therapist for that!
"Drink, please." (as you hand her a drink and she can repeat)
"Thank you" (when appropriate for her to say it)
"No thanks." " "
"A birdie!"
"Green cup!"
You get the idea...

As you're reading books:
"Look at the bunny! Bunny!" dd: "Bunny!
"That ball is yellow! Yellow!" dd: "lellow!"
"How many bears? One. Two. Three." hold dd's finger: "one... two... three"

Just make everything you say sound very fun! Provide a language rich environment for her, using few words. That may sound like an oxymoron, but just choose to make your words count.

Option 1: "That's not very nice when you hit Johnnie. That hurts his feelings. I know you didn't mean to hurt his feelings, but you need to say your sorry."
Option 2: "Hitting is not nice. Model: Sorry Johnnie." dd: Sorry Johnnie

I did a seminar once on Developing Language through Play. I'd be happy to send you the handout I made. Just e-mail me if you're interested and I can attach in a reply.