Central Elementary School playground has new communication board

The playground at Central Elementary School now includes a communication board to help all students communicate.

Communication boards can come in many different sizes and can contain different vocabulary or phrases, according to a School District of Rhinelander press release. Most words on a communication board are common vocabulary that are frequently used, such as “I”, “want”, “go”, “all done”, “help”, etc. Communication boards can also contain specific vocabulary that are unique to a person, place, or event, such as “slide”, “swing”, “climb”, etc. Some students do not communicate with verbal speech as their primary form of communication. Instead, they communicate using a tablet with a communication app. However, at recess, especially in the winter, carrying a tablet can be a bit of a challenge. The communication board, which hangs from a fence, reduces communication barriers and helps all students create messages in order for their peers and teachers to understand them.

Students point to symbols on the communication board to form their message. For example, if a student wanted to communicate that they needed help at recess, they would point to the words/symbols “I”, “want”, and “help”. A teacher would then be able to understand that something is wrong. Communication boards can also contain specific phrases, such as, “Wanna play with me?” in order for a student to ask their friend to play.