Creating Connection While Apart

Humans depend on connection with others, but it can be more difficult to stay connected during times of change. New transitions can be difficult for our children to process. Maybe it’s moving to a new city, being apart from family, starting a new school, or having loved ones live far away. Thankfully, there are many […]

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 […]

Why You Should Prepare Your Home for Child Independence

As a speech-language pathologist serving families at home, a large part of my job is helping to create daily routines and physical spaces that enriches language development and positive interactions. We know a child’s home environment has profound effects on development, learning, behavior, and well-being (1). Parents have the opportunity to prepare the home to […]

How to Connect with Your Baby

Many parents describe absolute bliss snuggling their sweet new baby right after birth, but sometimes the feelings of doubt creep in when we try to soothe a crying baby. One of my babies had “colic” which resulted in relentless crying and endlessly long days in her first few months. No matter what we tried, she […]

5 Ways to Be a Responsive Parent to a Newborn

Responsive parenting (also called “sensitive” or “gentle” parenting) views young children as capable and independent beings and respects their developing autonomy. One of the leaders of responsive parenting with newborns is Magda Gerber, founder of the RIE philosophy. She teaches “respect and trust in the baby to be an initiator, an explorer, and a self-learner.” […]

28 Experiences to Build Language

It’s no surprise as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I try to find opportunities to build language everywhere I go. Introducing our children to new experiences help expand those skills, and keep it fun! Just by talking and reading to children throughout our daily routines, we expose our young children to millions of words daily! Children […]

A Concerned SLP’s Response to TIME Magazine article by Camarata

A recent TIME Magazine article entitled “Why You Shouldn’t Immediately Worry If Your Child Is a Late Talker, According to a Speech Pathologist,” is potentially misleading and has the risk of causing damage to families of young children with concerns about speech and language development. Although the author, Dr. Stephen Camarata is a world-renowned Speech-Language […]

FAQs about Using Language-Building Strategies at Home

We shared our go-to strategies for helping children learn to use words and increase language skills. But, what if you’re still struggling? As much as we believe in caregivers’ ability to do great language building at home, we also realize sometimes it just doesn’t work the way you thought it would. You’re not alone! Even […]

10 Strategies to Help Children Talk

 If you’re looking for ways to help your child talk, you’re in the right place! Please note: This article and it’s content, including linked articles, is for educational purposes and is NOT a replacement for intervention from a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) or professional medical advice. If you are concerned with your child’s speech and […]

Facts about “Late Talkers”

When caregivers start asking questions about their child’s language development and late talking, speech-language pathologists hear answers like this all. the. time. “Don’t worry – he will talk when he’s ready.” “She’s just a late talker, she will catch up.” “Boys talk later than girls, he’s fine.” “She’s just letting big brother talk for her.” […]