As a speech therapist, finding the right resources that captivate and educate can be challenging. In this post, I’m excited to share three of my favorite books with an October twist—along with some activities that pair perfectly with each book. These ideas are superb for varying age groups and can help make the month of October a fun learning experience for your little learners.
Activity #1: Where Is Baby’s Pumpkin by Karen Katz
Let’s kick things off with a pumpkin-themed gem, “Where Is Baby’s Pumpkin?” by Karen Katz. This book is an excellent choice for early childhood development, particularly for children aged birth to three years. It’s a delightful lift-the-flap book that has the little ones exploring with Baby, searching for a pumpkin.
This book is not just about having fun flipping flaps, but is invaluable for working on location words and “where” WH questions. Many young children find it highly engaging. To extend the learning experience, I’ve created a book companion that includes activities to answer yes/no questions and enhance vocabulary. This means you’re not only reading a story but actively expanding your language teaching toolkit.
Activity #2: Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
While this next book isn’t pumpkin-themed, “Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley is perfect for bringing a monster theme into your October speech therapy sessions. This book is fantastic for teaching body parts and complements the “All About Me” theme often taught at the start of the school year.
If you have a body part activity packet, this book is a great way to introduce the theme. It provides a playful and interactive approach to learning body parts, ensuring that the activities create a lasting impact while staying aligned with the monster theme that kids love.
Activity #3:How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
For slightly older children, ranging from first to third grade, “How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?” by Wendell Minor offers an excellent opportunity to explore synonyms, particularly those related to the word “big.” This book not only enriches vocabulary but also features stunning illustrations that capture children’s imaginations.
Each place visited in this book is real, prompting great discussions with your students. Topics such as pumpkin regattas, Mount Rushmore, and the Grand Canyon provide a valuable blend of geography and language learning. These conversations naturally lend themselves to discussing synonyms, making it a multidimensional learning activity.
As you plan your October sessions, consider these books and activities to make your speech therapy time more engaging and educational. Happy Halloween, teaching!
