Animated video shorts4/6/2023 ![]() Videos are so dynamic and fast-paced that children are perfectly happy watching them on repeat and this allows for clinicians to set up predictable routines that can inspire a variety of communication. Children typically become engrossed in a video and the pause button is a perfect way to shift attention from viewing to communicating. For older learners you can focus on narrative development by pausing and encouraging them to make predictions by asking “What might happen next?” Pausing is also imperative when it comes to gaining attention. When children start laughing it’s the perfect opportunity to pause and model “That’s funny!” or “So silly”. This allows children the opportunity to start understanding the power of commenting on what they see and increases the likelihood of more communication during video viewing down the line. ![]() Video viewing tends to be a passive process where children sit quietly and watch but it doesn’t have to be that way! Hit the pause button, model some relevant language and then rewind. These videos make it easy to model emotional language like “sad, disappointed, frustrated, annoyed” and opens up a dialogue about character emotions and the use of nonverbal communication to demonstrate such emotions. ![]() Without any words, animated shorts are reliant on exaggerated facial expressions and gestural communication. For older children, I use wordless videos to work on social pragmatic skills. It’s tough for flashcards to adequately represent an action, which is why I love using videos. We know how effective video modeling can be in helping children learn abstract concepts like verbs. When I’m working with children who are just beginning to learn how to use their AAC systems I might focus on our core word of the week or on teaching relevant action words. Be clear about what your goal is before watching so you can model with a targeted intention. There are so many areas to potentially target when using animated videos and you can use the same video for a variety of purposes. Below I review exactly how to get started implementing animated shorts in your AAC therapy. We focused our presentation on providing aided language stimulation during wordless videos with students ranging from being emergent to advanced communicators. I’ve had great success utilizing wordless videos in my practice and was lucky enough to present on the topic during “AAC After Work” with a fellow AAC colleague, Susan Berkowitz. In case you missed it, you can view it here. Motivation is paramount in creating meaningful communication interactions and watching animated videos is highly motivating for both students and clinicians. Children on my caseload are tech savvy and are constantly dazzling me with how well they can navigate YouTube to find their favorite videos. We are living in a digital age, where video content is often free and easy to access. Using Animated Shorts to Build Language Skills with AAC Learners Her prAACtical tips will get you excited about using videos like these, curated by The Activity Tailor , in your lessons. Looking for ways to engage AAC learners in language therapy? Today, we welcome back SLP Rachel Madel to tell us about her experience in using wordless videos.
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