COMING SOON TO A PLAYGROUND NEAR YOU!!!
Carroll County Public Schools is dedicated to providing accessible communication for all students in the community. Playground communication boards are being implemented throughout the county for all children to communicate with each other as they play during recess or after school hours.
The boards use BoardMaker® symbols with printed words that many children with complex communication needs already use in their communication books or devices. The background colors are helpful for students with visual challenges. These playground boards let children who have difficulty speaking aloud, invite their friends and family to play on different equipment, comment on the fun they had together, or solve a typical playground disagreement.
To use the board, children or adults can touch pictures “saying” words that match their message.
Communicators who are verbal can say the words aloud as they touch, such as I…Want…Swings, and then put the message in English form, I want to swing.
Communicators who are non-verbal or use multiple communication forms can use the symbols by touching and having their partner “read” their pattern; Ex. Swings Want. The partner can then reflect and model the appropriate language with the child’s message by saying, “You want to swing”.
The boards use communication patterns designed to flow smoothly, like a conversation. Taking turns, children can complain, comment, request, refuse, and ask anything about activities typical to the play area near the board.
Please select your school from the drop down menu to learn about the specific playground communication board for your location.
Have fun communicating and playing!