Carving a Pumpkin – a child speech therapy activity!

Carving a Pumpkin is a special activity to be shared by the family! – A teli speech and language pathologist provides ways for your child to learn new words surrounding this fun tradition!

Carving a Pumpkin provides your child with a new tradition to explore!
by Kristi Keele, Speech and Language Pathologist

Now that you have picked the perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, it is time to get ready to turn it into a Jack O’ Lantern. Some families may choose to carve their pumpkin while others might prefer to paint a face on it. Either way you can work on the same speech and language skills. P.S. Don’t forget to leave the actual carving to the adults!

Once again, get your child familiar with the activity by reading a book beforehand. “It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!” By Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond is just one great choice.

Pumpkin carving is an ideal activity for working on the names of shapes, body parts and words related to emotions. Parents and caregivers can:

• Give choices (e.g. Do you want a happy pumpkin or sad pumpkin? Eyes shaped like a circle or a triangle?)
• Ask child to point to or find the (e.g. ears, nose, mouth, etc.)
• Work on labeling/naming (e.g. I see the pumpkin’s nose. What do you see?)
• Model fun sounds for your child to repeat (e.g. Say “eww” or “yuck” as you scoop out the seeds, say “boo” for a scary pumpkin)
• If your child is not yet talking, try using gestures or giving picture choices and have him point to the picture to tell you what he wants.