Tips for Targeting Goals with Pete the Cat

Tips for Targeting Goals with Pete the Cat

By: Kelsey Coaldrake, M.A., CCC-SLP

The “Pete the Cat” series by Eric Litwin has become quite extensive and I find that kids LOVE these books. Many of these stories are great for targeting speech, language, and learning goals! They can be combined with additional activities to enrich learning and make it more fun for your child. See below for specific instructions using the original Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes to target communication goals! Make sure to check out the links to download the materials and make your own interactive learning tools.

Download 1: Pete the Cat and his SHOES! (especially great for requesting)

Instructions for Preparing the Materials:

1. Download the materials here.
2. Print Pete the Cat and his shoes.
3. Cut and laminate Pete and his shoes.
4. Place a soft piece of velcro on each shoe that Pete is wearing.
5. Place a hard piece of velcro on each extra shoe.

 

Instructions for Using the Materials:

As Pete steps in the different things throughout the book, his shoes change color! Your child can change the color of Pete’s shoes along with the book. Not only is this a great way to make reading more interactive, but it also provides an opportunity for your child to work on requesting. Depending on your child’s level, they can request “shoes” or “red shoes” or “I want red shoes.”

Download 2: Gross Motor Activity – Stepping with Pete! (especially great for active kiddos)

Instructions for Preparing the Materials:

1. Download the materials here.
2. Print the pictures and cut out each picture.
3. Laminate each picture.

Instructions for Using the Materials:

Throughout the book, you and your child can step on the same things that Pete steps on! It’s a great way to make the reading experience more active and engaging. It also allows for some movement and some practice sequencing events by putting the items in order.

Download 3: Adapt Your Book with Visual Support (especially great for nonverbal kiddos or AAC users)

Instructions for Preparing the Materials:

1. Download the materials here.
2. Print, laminate, and cut out the picture symbols from this download.
3. Attach hard velcro to the backside of each picture symbol.
4. Attach soft velcro to the inside of the book on each page to correspond with the picture symbols. (i.e. the “strawberry” picture symbol will attach to the pile of strawberries, the “red” picture symbol will attach to the page that tells us what color his shoes changed, etc.)
5. Print and laminate the full page of this download to use as a communication board.

Instructions for Using the Materials:

You can use these symbols in a variety of ways depending on the level your child is at. They are great for answering questions, for following along with the book, for discriminating between picture symbols, and for maintaining attention. It makes reading more fun by giving your kids an activity to complete throughout the book by matching the symbols to the pictures on the pages! You can use the communication board to model language throughout the book.

Additional Suggestions:

You can target your child’s speech sounds while reading this book as well. This story is great for targeting the “sh” sound (shoes), the “st” sound (step in), and the “s” sound (singing, song). 

If your child enjoys coloring, download these extras here and here.

---

Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in the Iowa City, IA area and Des Moines, IA area. We provide individual speech-language therapy and tutoring as well as offering small group academic programs.  At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center our passion is to help kids achieve effective communication skills and gain academic success.  Contact us for more information on how we can help your child succeed.

info@enrichmenttherapies.com

740 Community Drive, Unit A

North Liberty, IA 52317

319-626-2553

 infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com

5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300

Johnston, IA 50131

515-419-4270