Move Together, Communicate Together: Supporting Preschoolers’ Communication Skills Through Physical Activities

Yusuf Akamoglu, Michaelene M. Ostrosky, W. Catherine Cheung, Hsiu Wen Yang, Paddy C. Favazza, Melissa V. Stalega, Katherine Aronson-Ensign

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

During the preschool years, children develop several inter-related skills including motor skills and communication skills. In this article, we highlight several communication teaching strategies and describe how practitioners can promote communication skills of preschoolers with disabilities by providing them with multiple opportunities to practice these skills during motor activities. The following strategies are described: arrange the physical environment, model motor vocabulary, ask motor related questions, use a fill in the blank strategy, and reinforce/prompt child communication. The use of these strategies during large and small group motor activities is illustrated with vignettes. We present strategies for creating an engaging environment and providing meaningful opportunities so that children can learn important communication skills while also developing critical motor skills.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)677-685
Number of pages9
JournalEarly Childhood Education Journal
Volume47
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019

Keywords

  • Communication
  • Disabilities
  • Physical activities
  • Preschoolers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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