Kids love playing games
with their family and friends. Try adapting
a popular game so that kids who use Augmentative Communication can increase
their participation. We have chosen Don’t Spill the Beans® by Hasbro to provide
you with some ideas on how you might adapt a game. Think about the games you have in your class to see if students
can take a more active role when playing.
Vocabulary Ideas:
To hear what kids really say when they play
board games, invite a group of peers to play the game and make a list of what
you hear.
Here are some ideas for general game vocabulary:
My turn
|
Move my piece please
|
No cheating!
|
Your turn
|
Roll the dice
|
This is fun!
|
I win
|
No fair
|
Whose turn?
|
Roll again
|
What number did you roll?
|
Pick a card
|
Do you want to play?
|
Can we play again?
|
Can I go first?
|
I quit
|
Yes/No
|
Hey, I was supposed to go!
|
Specific vocabulary for Don’t Spill the Beans® by Hasbro
Don’t spill the beans!
|
Uh-oh!
|
You spilled the beans!
|
Be careful
|
Try another one
|
He’s tipping
|
Yeah
|
Can you put a bean on for me?
|
Put it to the right/left
|
You have more beans
|
Put it in the middle
|
This is easy
|
This is getting harder
|
I think it’s gonna spill
|
Watch out
|
Ahhh!
|
You spilled them
|
It’s not my fault
|
Oh no!
|
It’s getting close!
|
I’ll get the beans out
|
Try
making the communication display in the form of the board game or game
character.- If there are specific characters on the board game, try colour photocopying the board and cut out the characters to use as symbols.
- Make individual Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). Kids can either point or look at the symbol they want.
- Make or buy oversized dice – easier to throw and to see
- Use a wooden playing card holder or Playdoh® rolled out to hold the cards
Light Tech Ideas
Sequential Message Device: You can record a variety of phrases that allow a student to comment or ask questions about the game. For example:
- Who’s winning?
- Is someone cheating?
- Is it my turn yet?
- This is fun!
Simple voice output devices: Create communication overlays based on vocabulary needed for the game. Use intonation to make the messages more meaningful.
High Tech Ideas
- Most high tech devices will allow both recorded speech as well as synthesized voices. Try using recorded speech to make messages more expressive e.g. “I win!”, “No fair”, “Is it my turn yet?”
- Try using scanned images of the characters in the game.
Resources for playing games:
- All Turn It Spinner: The switch-activated All-Turn-It spinner has a large dial with a pointer. When a switch is pressed the dial turns and stops randomly. A great alternative to rolling dice and so much more! http://www.ablenetinc.com
- Electronic Spinner: Players push the middle button on the spinner and watch as the numbers light up. http://www.superduperinc.com
- Board Games: Here is a list of popular children’s board games http://www.boardgames.com/chgaandboga.html
