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PSL: Pumpkin Speech & Language

  • Writer: Rachel Haskins
    Rachel Haskins
  • Oct 1
  • 2 min read

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Happy fall (and pumpkin spice season)! Here are some fun pumpkin-themed ideas for supporting your child’s language skills.


1. Modeling Language

Model these pumpkin-themed words during play and whenever you see (real or fake) pumpkins going about your day (e.g., grocery store, craft store, coffee shop, pumpkin patch, home decor).

Category

Target Words

Nouns (Labeling)

Pumpkin, seed, stem, vine

Verbs (Actions)

Pick, cut, carve, scoop

Adjectives (Describing)

Big/small, heavy/light, round, smooth/bumpy, orange, squishy, sweet, spicy, gooey


2. Skills to Target While Carving a Pumpkin

The multi-step process of turning a pumpkin into a Jack-O-Lantern is a great way to work on following directions and sequencing.


Understanding Spatial Concepts

Strengthen your child's spatial concept skills by practicing directions that use prepositions:

  • "Put the seeds in the bowl."

  • "Place the small pumpkin next to the big one."

  • "Move the placemat under the pumpkin."

  • “Draw a nose above the mouth.”


Sequencing and Retelling 

The steps of carving a pumpkin are perfect for practicing sequencing words:

  • “First we cut the top, next we scoop the seeds, then we carve the eyes…”

  • Use pictures or a simple checklist to talk about the steps after the carving is done (retelling the sequence).


3. Read Pumpkin-Themed Books Together

Read themed books such as “Pumpkin, Pumpkin” by Jeanne Titherington or “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White. *These are also available on YouTube as a read-aloud!

Ask questions throughout the story to boost comprehension and expression:

  • “What is he doing?” (Targets actions/verbs)

  • “Where is the pumpkin?” (Targets location/prepositions)

  • “Why do you think that happened?” (Targets inferencing and reasoning)

**Tip: Pause and give your child time to respond after each question. Wait at least five seconds! If they don't answer, simply answer the question yourself and continue reading. This models the correct response without adding pressure.

Remember, consistency is key! By incorporating these simple, fun, and seasonal activities into your routine, you’re providing rich, meaningful opportunities for your child to learn and grow their language skills.

 
 
 
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