Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is a fantastic book to use in speech therapy, especially for gestalt language processors (GLPs). Children who are GLPs learn language in chunks rather than individual words, making repetitive and predictable books like this one a great tool for modeling language and encouraging meaningful communication.
Why Brown Bear, Brown Bear Works for Gestalt Language Processors
- Repetitive and Predictable Language – The repeated phrases help children acquire and use meaningful scripts in their everyday communication.
- Visual Support – The bright, simple illustrations provide clear visual cues that support comprehension.
- Engaging Rhythm and Rhyme – The rhythmic pattern makes it easier for GLPs to remember and repeat phrases.
- Natural Language Modeling – The structure of the book aligns well with the way GLPs process and store language.
In the video below, check out how I modeled different language using the story and how to mitigate them.
Activities to Use Brown Bear, Brown Bear in Speech Therapy
1. Modeling Gestalts with the Book
- Read the book slowly and emphasize whole phrases like:
- I see … (It can be mitigated into different animals.)
- I see a brown bear. (Modeling how to mitigate by including another descriptor like color)
- Repeat these phrases throughout the session, allowing the child to hear and absorb them multiple times.
2. Using Visuals and Props
- Use animal plush toys or picture cards to represent the characters in the book.
- As you read each page, hold up the corresponding toy or picture and say the full phrase.
- Encourage the child to match the toy or picture to the page.
3. Encourage Animal Movements through Songs
Incorporating movement supports language development by making learning multi-sensory, which helps children retain and recall phrases more naturally.
In the video above, we made a song to model the movements of the animals and characters mentioned in the story to the tune of the nursery rhyme This is The Way We Brush Our Teeth.
We model different different language samples in a catchy tune since GLP kids are very drawn to music.
4. Sensory Play Using Playdough
Using playdough to shape the animals from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a fantastic sensory activity for children with autism and gestalt language processors. The tactile experience of rolling, pressing, and molding playdough provides valuable sensory input that can support self-regulation while reinforcing language learning.
As children create each animal, model phrases like “I can make a brown bear.” This structured repetition aligns with the way gestalt language processors acquire language, helping them internalize and eventually modify scripts for meaningful communication. Additionally, the hands-on nature of this activity encourages fine motor development and engagement, making it a fun and effective way to combine literacy, sensory play, and speech therapy.
5. Fine Motor Activities Using Dabber
Incorporating dabber activities into your Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? sessions offers a dynamic way to enhance fine motor skills for children with autism and gestalt language processors. Using dot markers or “dabbers,” children can stamp corresponding colors onto animal templates as each character is introduced in the story.
This hands-on approach not only reinforces color recognition and hand-eye coordination but also aligns with the repetitive and rhythmic language patterns that support gestalt language processing. Engaging in this multisensory activity allows children to connect visual, tactile, and linguistic elements, fostering a more comprehensive learning experience.
6. Matching Colors and Creating a Pattern Using PomPom Balls
Using pompom balls for a fine motor and color-matching activity is a great way to engage children with autism and gestalt language processors while exploring Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
This activity encourages children to pick up and place pompom balls onto corresponding color, strengthening their pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination. This simple yet effective sensory activity fosters color recognition, fine motor skills, and language development in a fun and engaging way.
