Activity: All About My Friend

Activity: All About My Friend

The All About My Friend activity will help you and your child engage in an inclusive activity that prompts the child to explore and inquire about others’ preferences, experiences, or traits using supportive communication tools.

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OBJECTIVE

Engage in an inclusive activity that prompts the child to explore and inquire about others’ preferences, experiences, or traits using supportive communication tools.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Pictures or icons of various people (can be familiar people, characters, or generic figures) and an AAC device preloaded with a variety of inclusive question starters (e.g., “Who enjoys…?” “What is their favorite…?” “How do they feel about…?”).

PREPARATION

Arrange a cozy, accessible space with the pictures/icons easily visible. Ensure the AAC device is ready, featuring diverse and inclusive question phrases focusing on
interests, feelings, and activities.

CHOOSING A CHARACTER

Let the child choose a picture or icon of a person. This could be a familiar person, like a family member or a character from a favorite book or show.

MODELING QUESTIONS

Model how to ask questions about the chosen person using the AAC system. 1For example, if the picture is of a character, you might model, “Who is this?” “What do they like?” “Where do they live?” Encourage the child to use the AAC device to ask these questions.

ANSWERING AND ENCOURAGING

Answer the questions as if you are the person in the picture or know about them, providing interesting information that might encourage further questions. For example, “She loves to dance” could prompt the child to ask, “What kind of dance?” or “Where does she dance?”

Support the child in formulating follow-up questions or comments, encouraging the child to keep asking questions to learn more about the person’s hobbies, favorite things, family, or any other aspect they’re curious about.

TAKING TURNS

After discussing one person, switch and let the child choose another character or person to ask questions about. You can also take turns asking and answering questions with the child, demonstrating how to inquire about someone else.

WHY IT’S EFFECTIVE

Promotes Inclusivity: Encourages recognizing and valuing the diversity of human experiences and backgrounds.

Real-Life Skills: Mirrors genuine social interactions, emphasizing respectful curiosity and the importance of understanding others.
Expands Communication: Enhances language abilities in asking thoughtful, considerate questions and engaging in meaningful dialogue.

When conducting this activity, ensure that the communication is two-way. It’s not just about the child asking questions but also about understanding and responding to the answers, which can lead to more questions or comments. This reciprocal interaction is key to effective communication. Celebrate every question they form and every curiosity they express. This not only teaches them how to inquire about others but also reinforces the joy of learning through communication.

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