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 […]
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 […]
Pretend Play
Research indicates there are several risk factors for delayed language skills, developmental delays, and cognitive delays. One of the risk factors is decreased pretend play skills. Pretend play begins to develop around 12-18 months, but isn’t mastered until 3-5 years. What is pretend play? Children develop pretend play skills later, after functional play and constructional play […]
Top 20 Everyday Non-Toys for Language Development
Why is it that I’m always more excited by a new toy than my toddler? He’s perfectly happy with the diaper wipe box, kitchen utensils, and my scarf. Actually, most of his favorite play things aren’t toys at all. The everyday items he finds around the house and yard are where his creativity, curiosity, and […]
Helping Parents and Children with Independent Play
I’ve come to absolutely love playing with my toddler. His little belly laugh is delightful and his imagination surprises me daily. But as a first-time parent, I thought play had to be extraordinary to be “right” and that allowing independent play was lazy on my part. Admittedly, I’m not super creative and don’t set aside […]
Screen Time – What parents should know
Screen Time –Is it harmful, or can it be used to help children learn and develop? As a speech-language pathologist, my opinion is screen time can be both. Interactive media and technology can help children learn if used appropriately and intentionally, guided by an adult, and accompanied with language-rich interactions. On the other hand, using […]