Using Bubbles for Different Language Processors and Ages

All children seem to be mesmerized by bubbles, which makes bubbles an easy, cheap, and foolproof tool…no matter the type of language processor or age.

Gestalt Language Processor - Stage One: 

Use long phrases and sentences with high intonation or imitate melodies from songs. 

• “Do you wanna blow some bubbles” - to “do you wanna build a snowman” melody 

• “All the bubbles falling down, falling down, falling down” - to London Bridges melody

• “Pop goes the bubble” - to Pop Goes the Weasel melody 

• “I got the big one.”

• “A bubble popped on me.”

• “We need to dip the wand.”

• “Bubble juice is slippery.”

• “I wanna blow bubbles.”

• “Let’s play bubbles.” 

• “I love bubbles.” 

• “Bubbles are fun!” 

Gestalt Language Processor -Stage Two: 

Model flexible language by changing a word or two, follow their lead, and modify what they are saying.  

• “I blow bubbles.” 

• “You blow bubbles.” 

• “I catch a bubble,” 

• “Pop a big bubble.” 

• “Pop a little bubble.” 

Gestalt Language Processor - Stage Three: 

Model one or two-word phrases with noun+noun, adjective+noun, and noun+location. 

• “Bubbles.” 

• “Big bubble.” 

• “Bubbles many.” 

• “Up bubbles.” 

• “Bubbles down.” 

Gestalt Language Processor - Stage Four: 

Begin using grammar and full sentences.

• “You blow the bubbles.” 

• “My turn for bubbles.” 

 Children 0-3 years:

1) Request or instruct: Use "ready, set, go" when blowing bubbles. First you say the phrase and then pause before saying "go" and blowing the bubbles. Pause longer each time until they say "go" and instruct you to blow.

2) Phrase expansion: Use your pointer finger to pop the bubbles. Say "pop" each time, emphasizing the last P sound. You can expand to a phrase, such as "pop bubbles," "pop big bubble, " or "pop little bubble."

3) Spatial concepts: Say simple phrases and use your finger to show "up" and "down" as the bubbles rise and fall.

4) Qualitative descriptors: You can show your child "slow,” "fast" or "soft," "hard" or “big,” “little” by blowing on the back of their hand the same way you blow through the wand using the various descriptors.

Children 3-6 years:

1) Request or instruct: If they are capable of blowing their own bubbles, encourage them to ask for help to open the container. If they say “help,” “open,” or "help me open,” rephrase the sentence making it longer. For instance, for "Open lid, please,” you’d rephrase to “Please help me open the lid."

2) Pronouns: Demonstrate these phrases for your child and emphasize the pronoun: “I blow bubbles,” “you blow bubbles,” “the girl is blowing,” “it's the boy's turn,” “she pops bubbles,” “he hits bubbles,” “they are running into the bubbles.”

3) Irregular past tense: Model these phrases using the correct past tense: “Today I blow bubbles; yesterday I blew bubbles.”, “Today, I will bring bubbles; yesterday I brought bubbles.”, “The bubbles fly today; yesterday they flew.”

4) Superlatives: Give examples, such as these, during play: “I blow slow, you blow even slower, and sister blows the slowest.” or “I pop the big bubble, you got the bigger bubble, and brother got the biggest bubble.”