October 30, 2025
Meet Homemade Binoculars!
Introducing materials in a home environment is all about timing. Is this introduction in this child’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)? I learned that if materials are introduced too early, it may not be relevant to a child’s learning. Children naturally seek out their own form of learning. Such is the case with this week’s home material: a set of toilet paper binoculars.
Here’s a little story to illustrate the power of timing.
I brought three sets of binoculars to one of my little friends – a set for him, his mom, and for me. At first, he was not so sure about the binoculars but listened to a piggyback song that I sang called “I see Mommy,” to the tune of Frere Jacques. ( give credit for this song to Laura Mize and her amazing CEU training!) I modeled different items and people I saw in his environment. His mom modeled the song as well. My little friend continued to be a bit apprehensive and overall hesitant to make word combinations during the session. I left the sets of binoculars and headed home. Shortly after leaving his home, I received a text from his mom sharing that when he saw his dad coming down the stairs, picked up the binoculars and said “I see Daddy!”
Following that session, my little friend was discharged shortly after as the binoculars were a “lightbulb” moment to the power of using his voice to make word combinations. What a powerful phrase to hear from a toddler’s mouth, “I see Daddy!” As parents of a child with language delays there is nothing more affirming than hearing your child use your name!
This concludes my Therapy Bag Thursday series. More to follow as my materials are upgraded with 3D printing. A pair of binoculars is in the works as we speak! Stay tuned for next month’s series “Frequently Asked Questions Friday.”