Playground Communication Board

Welcome to the LRSD Playground Communication Board! The Playground Communication Board was created with a goal of providing accessible communication and social language opportunities for all students, families and community members who use our playgrounds and fields. Our future goal is to have these boards installed on all our Elementary School playgrounds, with boards available in both English and French. Please explore this page to find out more! If you have any questions, please fill in the Contact Us form with the subject "Playground Communication Board".

Child pointing at wwing on playground communications board

Louis Riel Communication Board

Communication boards are designed with inclusion in mind. They help children access some of the most common words that we use when communicating, called “core”Adult and child using digital communication board words. Core words can be used to create many different sentences, and include pronouns, action words, questions, feelings and locations. This board has many core words as well as sentences related to the playground, games and being with friends. You can point to the word on the board as you say it out loud, to model (or show) language that your student might want to use while at the playground. This can help those who have difficulty speaking get their wants and needs met, as well as engage in play!


YouTube Video

Aided Language Stimulation (Modeling):

What is Modeling?

Modeling (or Aided Language Stimulation) means using an Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) tool to talk to an AAC user. This tool may be an iPad with a voice output communication app, an eye gaze device or a core vocabulary board like our Playground Communication Board. All AAC learners need to see what it looks like to communicate using AAC in real conversations. We can point to words on the Playground Communication Board as we speak. We should model comments and thoughts, rather than just asking lots of questions.

Modeling within play makes communication fun and authentic!

What is AAC? AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It refers to tools and strategies that can enhance speech or provide a completely different means of communication. AAC can be aided (i.e., using a tool) or unaided (i.e., no tool needed), such as sign language or gestures. The truth is we all use some AAC. We text, type, write and use gestures. Additional tools, such as communication devices, books or apps, can provide a means of communication for individuals who are unable to speak or for whom speech is not always their primary mode.