Little Words

Say & Play Early concept · weather

What's the Weather?

Weather words, commenting, choosing, and simple sentence expansion

4 meaningful actionsweather4 communication levelsSpeech optional

How this routine works

Buddy wants to go outside. Change the weather and help Buddy get ready. The child changes the scene through four connected actions. These are the authored prompts and models, so an adult can preview the language before play.

  1. Play action 1Look outside. What do you notice?
    Buddy models: Sunny! It is sunny. Sunglasses on!
    The sun shines and Buddy puts on sunglasses.
  2. Play action 2Tap the cloud to change the sky.
    Buddy models: Rain. It is rainy. Umbrella up!
    Rain falls and Buddy opens an umbrella.
  3. Play action 3The leaves are starting to move.
    Buddy models: Windy! The wind is blowing.
    Leaves swirl and Buddy holds onto a hat.
  4. Play action 4The rain is stopping. What appeared?
    Buddy models: A rainbow! I see a rainbow.
    A rainbow stretches across the sky.

Why this interaction fits the communication goal

Primary target: Weather words, commenting, choosing, and simple sentence expansion

Ways to participate: Choose a weather window, point, use AAC, comment, or speak.

  • The scene carries the meaning. The child acts directly on the objects instead of answering flashcards over a background.
  • Models can stay short or expand. Examples include:
    • rain
    • rainy
    • it is rainy
    • it is raining outside
  • Speech is never a gate. Tapping, dragging, gesture, AAC, approximations, and spoken language can all be meaningful participation.
  • The payoff belongs to the action. Each choice changes the scene, and the routine ends with the result of what the child has been doing.

This resource supports education and guided practice. It is not an assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized care from a qualified speech-language pathologist. Little Words Editorial authors and checks the interaction, language, and access behavior. Read our editorial standards.

Does a child have to speak?

No. Speech can be invited and modeled, but it is never required or scored.

How should an adult choose a model?

Use a model that fits the child’s current communication goal. When a child is receiving speech therapy, follow the target words, cues, and practice guidance from the child’s SLP.