Teach Your Child Figures of Speech

Children with special learning and developmental needs may have a hard time understanding figures of speech, those fun and funny whirlpools of words that keep language lively. Being clueless whenever statements stray from the straight-and-narrow can leave your child open to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, teasing, and confusion. What Did You Say? What Do You Mean? is a fun way to introduce your child to the concept that people don't always say exactly what they're thinking. The book contains 100 metaphors, each with a humorous illustration, definition, and example. Try sitting down with your child for a figure-of-speech session each day, spending a few minutes each on the following:

1. A quick quiz of previously learned metaphors.
2. Introduction of a new metaphor from the book.
3. Discussion of any metaphors your child has heard and wondered about.

Then extend the learning throughout the day by calling attention to figures of speech when you hear them on TV or come across them in books, and using the idioms your child has been studying in casual conversation.