Home Tour – Prepared Spaces for Child Independence
A child’s home sets the foundation for healthy social-emotional development, language and literacy learning, and overall well-being. Having accessible and inviting spaces in the child’s home fosters increased independence, confidence, and opportunities for connection. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I help families prepare spaces in their home to promote language during daily routines. This leads to […]
5 Steps to Set up the Home for Child Independence
Be sure to download the free worksheet to jump start setting up your home for your child’s independence, complete with examples! It used to seem like my toddler would need my help for Every. Single. Thing while we were at home. He would become angry when I couldn’t help immediately. He started giving up trying […]
How to Support Children through Change
All children will experience change in their lives, whether it’s a new sibling, a different school, or just learning to become more independent. Often, these transitions can cause big feelings in their little hearts. How we respond and support children in these moments set the foundation for their development and positive relationships later in life. […]
Managing Power Struggles
When it comes to power struggles between caregivers and children, I’ve been looking for answers like many parents. Much of my research includes recommendations like: “Stay strong and be firm. You are the boss.” “You just have to be consistent. Children need to respect you.” “Stand your ground. Don’t give in or they will take […]
8 Ways to Use Natural Consequences
One of the tenets of Positive Discipline is to practice providing natural consequences for children “misbehaving.” A natural consequence is anything that happens as the result of an action or inaction. For example, if it’s raining and you forgot your umbrella, you get wet. When you don’t eat, you get hungry. When you don’t tend […]
Positive Discipline: Punishment vs. Discipline
“Discipline” and “Punishment” often are used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. When we hear “discipline,” you may picture a child’s behavior in need of correcting. However, did you know the word “discipline” comes from the Latin word ‘disciplina,’ which means teaching? Somewhere along the way, “discipline” changed from “teach” to “punish.” Learn more about […]
Misbehavior and Connection
There are many ways we describe it – meltdown, tantrum, misbehavior, noncompliant, resistant, defiant, out of control. The never-ending whining, power struggles, back talk, fighting, and screaming. All of it undesired behaviors we often see in children. When our children act out, we can feel embarrassed, disappointed, inadequate, or even resentful. We may feel terrible […]
Communication with Connection
It’s likely when you think of a speech-language pathologist, you think of them teaching a child to speak. And while that’s true, there’s so much more to communication than just talking or using words. Connection is just as important. Communication is a two-way exchange of information, feelings, and ideas between two parties. If I only […]
The Importance of Emotional Competence
I look over at my student struggling with his homework. I hear a big sigh as he looks at the first problem. After the second problem, he throws his pencil down. When I ask if he would like help, he yells “this is stupid!” He crumples it into his backpack and refuses to talk about […]
Behavior as Communication – Part II
Responding to Behavior as Communication In part I, we learned how to increase our awareness and acceptance of behaviors, providing ways to connect with our children. If you missed it, read go back and read it first for a better understanding. Responding to behaviors as communication is where we begin to change our relationship with […]