Summer Bucket Lists in Auditory Therapy

Boredom Busters or Bucket Lists have been a fun way to kick off summer break. The activity stimulated new vocabulary, categorizing, describing, critical thinking, and lots of listening and spoken language fun! I explained to the kids that a bucket list is how you create your goals, hopes, and dreams. We talked about including things that you know you will be able to accomplish, as well as things that you would like to try to accomplish, along with some things that you might not be able to do (take a trip to Australia), but you would love the opportunity if the chance presented itself to you.  
The parents and I gave them topics and we brainstormed. Sometimes, if they couldn't think of anything I would have them listen to choices, remember what I said and then make some choices. They all seem excited to begin their bucket list challenges. We talked about a Bucket list will ensure they won't be bored or have nothing to do. Get off the couch, turn off your electronics, and go have some fun! The kids weren't sure at first but then really took this seriously.
I reminded the parents to make every summer count! They were surprised when I said that we only have 18 summers to make memories with our kids and then they are off to college or the next life adventure.
 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Smiling-In-Sixth
I got this idea from a blogger - SmilinginSixth

Here are some of the ideas I can recall we talked about and put into our buckets.

New swimming goals - somersault underwater, dive off a diving board, swim in a lake

 Rainy day activities - play a board game, build a blanket fort, have a dance party

 Nature activités - nature hike, go fishing visit an arboretum, create a sundial

 Summer foods I want to eat - ballpark hot dog, fresh garden vegetables, BBQ, a funnel cake

 Sporting goals - run, walk a 5K. make 3 runs in a baseball game, play a game or tennis

 Fun with friends - go on a bike hike, start a book club, go fishing, volunteer at church, at a shelter

 So many other topics: 

Water Games and Fun
Things I Want To See
Pool Time Goals
Places I Want To Go
Park Activites
Library Goals
Reading Goals
Travel plans
Road Trips
Sunny Day Activites
Summer Fairs and Activities to Visit
Favorite Summer Treats
Favorite Summer Drinks
Summer Music Events and Concerts
Carnival and Amusement Park Rides to Try
Camping Fun
Fourth of July Activites
Ocean and Beach Activites
Water Games and Fun
Memorial Moments



Listening and Spoken Language Summer Category Fun


Auditory Processing, Auditory Memory, Auditory Integration - 

 Targeting Categories For Effective Listening and Spoken Language Skills

Information that can be organized in some manner is most easily retrieved. The organization of words into categories provides effective neural “hooks” for retrieval and an effective “filing cabinets” for storage.  The use of categories is especially relevant to auditory memory. Short-term auditory memory relies on techniques such as chunking, while auditory association is key to long-term memory. 

Chunking and association both use categories. Learning categories help children in describing related words, allowing for more effectively listening and spoken language skills with robust vocabulary.


Click HERE if you want to check out this BuildaBurger Categories Freebie game
 that was created by: Maureen Wilson M.S., CCC-SLP, author of The Speech Bubble.


Listen and Learn with Summertime Would You Rather? Questions.

Would You Rather? questions are great fun for higher level listeners
 or those with an auditory processing disorder. 

Present these intriguing questions through hearing alone to target auditory memory, auditory processing and comprehension abilities. This activity is great for practicing critical thinking because they require the listener to evaluate two different, but seemingly equally appealing (or unappealing) options and choose one. Expressive language skills are expanded as their choice is explained and defended. 

Click here for your FREE download from Minds-in-Bloom.